A Woodville dog breeder and his wife, who were found guilty of animal cruelty, have had their sentencing delayed once again.
David Neil Balfour and his wife Daryl Kirsty Reid Balfour were originally scheduled to appear in the Palmerston North District Court on March 23 but that was delayed due to ill health of Mr Balfour.
The matter was rescheduled for Friday but has been delayed again.
The case dates back to 2006 when the SPCA raided their Heretaunga Rd property, south of Dannevirke, and found animals living in cramped and dirty conditions with insufficient food and water. All the cats and 30 dogs were seized by the SPCA, with 81 of the cats having to be destroyed.
The Balfours had originally pleaded not guilty to two charges of ill-treating animals and two charges of failing to prevent suffering but, following a trial, they were each found guilty on two charges of failing to ensure the health and behavioural needs of 87 dogs and 161 cats.
They were also convicted of ill-treating the cats but found not guilty on a fourth charge of ill-treating the dogs.
Sentencing will now take place on June 29 in the Palmerston North District Court.