KEY POINTS:
Abandoned dog Eve, the victim of what the SPCA describes as one of the worst ever cases of neglect, is now extremely popular with offers for adoption from as far away as Canada.
Eve, named because she was found by the SPCA on Christmas Eve, was found locked
under a state house in Glenn Innes, Auckland, surviving on insects and her own waste.
The 11-month-old ridgeback cross weighed just 10kg when she was found, every bone was visible and she could barely stand.
Auckland SPCA general manager David Lloyd-Barker said Eve had been locked under the house for five weeks with no food or water.
"There were bowls, but no food. We were called by a neighbour," he said.
"If it had been another day she would have been dead."
Since moving to the SPCA Eve has gained 4kg and many admirers.
Donations and adoptions offers have been flooding in.
One man from Canada offered to adopt Eve and pay all the costs to fly her to Canada, Mr Lloyd-Baker said.
"We will take private prosecution against the owners, which we have to fund, we get no government funding," he said.
Eve was a "sweetheart" and a good natured dog, Mr Lloyd-Baker said.
She would stay with the SPCA until she reached a "functional weight" and then go into foster care while the court case is on.
Then she would be adopted out.
"There is no excuse (for such treatment). On a scale of one to 10, this is a 12."
"We are required by law to give people the opportunity to explain themselves and we'll do that. They may have a reason but I can't imagine what it will be."
Mr Lloyd-Baker said the SPCA knew the names and date of birth of Eve's owners and would be writing to them to advise of the prosecution.
They were still on holiday in Rotorua.
"Obviously they were leaving her there to die," he said.
Under the Animal Welfare Act owners can receive a maximum $25,000 fine or six months' jail.
Mr Lloyd-Baker said the SPCA would be aiming for jail time for Eve's owners.
There was always an increase in abandoned animals during holiday periods, Mr Lloyd-Baker said.
"People think they can abandon or surrender their animals and have a change of heart when they come back.
"They seem to think we're a free kennel and we're not."
Eve's recovery is being documented in a blog on the SPCA website.
- NZPA