Bystander saves puppy being kicked down road in Russell

The puppy's owner has been charged with cruelty to an animal. PHOTO / FILE

A puppy that was "screaming in pain" as its owner kicked it down the road was saved by a passerby who grabbed it and hid it.

The appalling abuse happened in Russell about 2pm on Sunday when a member of the public saw a man kicking and throwing the puppy along the road.

Mid North Sergeant Ross Laurie said the witness grabbed the puppy and hid it from the offender.

The witness then called police while two others kept an eye on the man as he searched the town for his pet. They pointed out the offender when police arrived.

The 28-year-old from Whanganui was arrested and charged with cruelty to an animal. He had arrived with the puppy on the ferry from Paihia earlier in the day.

He has been summonsed to appear in the Kaikohe District Court.

The witness reported the puppy was "screaming in pain" as it was kicked down the road, Laurie said.

The puppy's injuries were not serious. It is being looked after while its future is decided.

In July a Kaikohe man was jailed for more than two years after bashing a 5-month-old puppy on the head with a hammer.

Hanuere Paul Witehira was charged with wilfully ill-treating an animal, as well as drink driving and driving while disqualified.

Earlier that month he had arrived home after drinking and, upset because he couldn't get what he wanted for lunch, hit his son's 5-month-old puppy eight times on the head. Its injuries were so severe it had to be put down.