Man jailed for puppy bashing

A Taranaki man has been jailed for 12 months for bashing puppy with an iron bar. File photo / NZ Herald

A Taranaki man has been jailed for 12 months for bashing a bearded collie pup with an iron bar.

Kereama Phillips, 33, an invalid beneficiary from Waitara, 16km northeast of New Plymouth, was sentenced in New Plymouth District Court yesterday after earlier pleading guilty to ill-treating the six-month-old dog at his home on September 16, The Taranaki Daily News reported.

Phillips had significant health issues which were aggravated by anger problems and cannabis dependency, defence lawyer Grant Vosseler said.

Phillips had fought with his partner and struck himself in the forehead with the iron bar before hitting the dog, Mr Vosseler said.

One of the dog's legs was badly injured and had to be amputated.

Judge Allan Roberts said he must jail Phillips for his "act of senseless brutality".

A prison sentence would show violence against animals would not be tolerated, he said.

Phillips was banned from owning a dog for five years.

- NZPA