The SPCA is taking legal action after a 10-month-old puppy had its throat slashed.
Earlier this month, NZH Focus spoke to Auckland couple Jack Van Biljon and Casey Halpin, both 22, whose staffy-kelpie cross named Turbo had his throat slashed during a flat eviction.
Van Biljon said he heard Halpin scream when she found Turbo lying in a pool of his own blood.
"He'd basically bled out in the car," Halpin said.
"But the worst thing is trying to get that image out of your head. You see your puppy in the back of the car with his neck open and he's looking at you wagging his tail and his last breaths are him trying to come to me," Van Biljon said.
The couple's 3-year-old bull terrier, named Nova, also had its throat slit and needed eight staples.
Auckland SPCA's chief inspector Greg Reid told NZH Focus that Turbo's post-mortem examination results revealed the puppy suffered a "horrendous throat cut injury that resulted in his death and created a lot of pain and distress for the dog".
Reid says they plan to charge the alleged offender with wilful ill treatment under the Health and Safety Act early next week.
The charge has a penalty of up to five years' imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $100,000.
The SPCA was also looking at laying charges over Nova's injury, which was still being investigated, he said.
A 39-year-old man appeared in court this month, charged with possessing an offensive weapon.
