A man is facing 10 animal cruelty charges relating to a team of dogs, including one he allegedly allowed to become so emaciated that it died.
Matthew Gordon Brown, 46, of Te Karaka, made a preliminary appearance in Gisborne District Court this week. He was further remanded without plea, and atlarge, to appear again at a registrar’s list later this month.
The charges, laid under the Animal Welfare Act (1999), were brought by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), which alleged Brown failed to meet the physical heath and behavioural needs of about 12 dogs by failing to provide antibiotics and pain relief to those that needed it, proper and sufficient food, and protection from and rapid diagnosis of a significant disease —namely worm burden.
One of the charges alleges he wilfully ill-treated a black and tan dog called Pluto, and caused it to suffer unnecessary distress by failing to get treatment for it when it lost weight. The dog subsequently died.
Most of the charges carry penalties of up to 12 months imprisonment or a fine of up to $50,000. However, the charge relating to the death of Pluto can result in a prison term of up to five years or a fine of up to $100,000.
