GPS clears staff, dog bashing claim goes to police

Ross McLeod says looking at the evidence, his staff could not have been involved in the alleged dog bashing. Photo / Warren Buckland

The matter of the alleged bashing of a bulldog by a Hastings District Council animal control officer will be referred to police after a three-day inquiry cleared staff of any wrongdoing.

The issue was brought to light on social media this week when a Facebook user posted that a dog had been injured, alleging it had received a "beating" at the hands of a Hastings District Council (HDC) animal control officer in Henderson Rd.

The HDC's chief executive Ross McLeod said the independent investigation, carried out by Dave Robb from Grow Human Resources, showed an officer "could not have been involved" in the incident.

"We have received a view based on that investigation that none of the evidence that has been reviewed supports the allegation that one of our officers was involved in injuring the dog in question," Mr McLeod said.

"In fact, the evidence that we have through the Navman (GPS) system strongly suggests that they were not involved as alleged.

"We think that short of any other evidence that that is quite compelling at the moment."

Moreover, the CEO said the eyewitness' account did not line up with evidence provided through the GPS system.

According to a release put out by the council the GPS shows the speed of the vehicle every two seconds, and whether it pauses or stops.

"At no time did any of the council animal control vans stop or pause along Henderson Rd, either with the motor running or turned off," it reads.

"There is no indication that the data can be tampered with, and Navman confirmed that if it had been, such tampering would be recorded on the system.

"There is no doubt the dog was injured, but how that happened is not known.

"What the evidence shows is that our officer was not involved in harming the animal," Mr McLeod said.

He also expressed his concern at the trial by social media of the accused staff member.

"I think particularly from a staff point of view it's unfortunate that a number of staff have been subjected to trial by social media in the preceding days before the facts were known.

"It is timely to remember that people are innocent until proven guilty and that in order to make a judgment on someone, all the facts must be known."

Mr McLeod said the council took such incidents seriously.

"We certainly would like to know what has happened so given that evidence and the lack of clarity around that I have decided to refer the matter to the police to see if they wish to investigate further," he said.

"We think it is in everybody's interest for further light to be shed on this if it can be." The animal's owner was contacted for comment and said he would respond to the report today.