Accused dog killer appears relaxed and smiling in dock

Mathew Awhi George appeared at Hamilton District Court yesterday. Photo / APN

A man who allegedly beat his pitbull-cross dog to death with a golf club before threatening police with a variety of weapons smiled as he appeared in court yesterday.

Mathew Awhi George, a heavily tattooed, unemployed 44-year-old from Te Kuiti, was arrested on Sunday after he allegedly attacked and killed his 6-month-old dog in front of a crowd of people with a golf club.

He then locked himself inside his Te Kuiti Rd house, arming himself with several weapons including an axe, spade and golf clubs.

The Herald understands George allegedly reacted when one of his pitbull-cross pups bit him.

Senior Sergeant Rob Van Kalken of Te Kuiti police said a stand-off with police ensued as they surrounded his home and told him to give himself up.

It is alleged that George stayed inside his home and armed himself with an axe, a spade and an iron bar.

Police threatened the use of a Taser but George did not surrender until armed police arrived.

George, whom the Herald understands was a patched Mongrel Mob member, made a brief appearance in Hamilton District Court yesterday facing a charge of wilfully ill-treating an animal, one of offensive behaviour and another charge of possessing an offensive weapon, an axe.

Dressed in a blue boiler suit and with his arms crossed in front of him, he appeared relaxed, occasionally smiling and raising his eyebrows when called to the dock.

But George, who had a partially-tattooed face, pulled his hooded suit over his head and tried to hide, turning his back when Community Magistrate Susan Hovell granted a media application to photograph him.

Community Magistrate Hovell said it would be futile for George's counsel to oppose photographs of him as several people were present when he allegedly attacked the dog.

He did not enter any pleas to the charges and was remanded in custody until Thursday for a bail hearing.