Jail likely if charges proved: SPCA

Two men who allegedly shot 33 dogs on a rural property near Wellsford north of Auckland face a jail term of up to three years if the charges against them are proven.

The SPCA said yesterday charges against the two were likely to be laid as early as today.

The animals were shot after a row between the dogs' owner, Rowan Hargreaves, and his neighbour, Russell Mendoza.

Mendoza and another man, truck driver Tony "Tussock" Campbell, allegedly shot the dogs with a shotgun and a .22 calibre rifle after Mendoza claimed the dogs killed his pet dog.

Mr Kerridge said animal inspectors who had studied the bodies of the dogs were in no doubt that at least seven died a lingering and painful death.

SPCA chief executive Bob Kerridge said the men could be jailed for up to three years depending on which charges were laid.

- NZPA