Council destroys seized puppies

The Hamilton City Council has destroyed 14 dogs, most of them pups, seized from a house in the city this month.

It was alleged the dogs were being bred for fighting - a claim disputed by their owner, Walter Greaves.

But the council said it had had no contact from him since the seizure.

Twenty-nine dogs were at the Massey St property when dog-control officers arrived on February 5.

Two dogs and a litter of pups were allowed to remain at the house but two unregistered dogs and 14 pups were taken.

Two of the dogs went to the Hamilton SPCA, the rest to the council pound.

Waikato SPCA manager Chris Cook said yesterday that one of the dogs at the SPCA was put down because it had parvo virus.

The second dog had been placed in a new home.

Council spokesman Curt Christiansen said the council had kept the dogs for longer than the specified seven-day period and the decision was made on Thursday to put them down.

He said the council was still deciding what charges, if any, it would lay against the owner.

Mr Greaves could not be reached for comment yesterday.

Meanwhile, Thames toddler Alex Josey is home from hospital after being savaged by up to five dogs.

The 2 1/2 year old was discharged from Waikato Hospital on Saturday, the stitches used to repair his badly damaged face and head now removed.

Neighbour Wayne Hati, who owned one of the dogs and the pups that allegedly attacked Alex, will appear in the Thames District Court on Friday.

He faces a charge of owning a dog that caused serious injury.

His dog and two pups have been put down.

- NZPA