A pigeon breeder who left poisoned milk for his neighbourhood's cats says he was driven to the poisoning because the cats "wouldn't learn".
Builder Anthony Herbert Wilson, 53, pleaded guilty in Christchurch District Court yesterday to one charge of wilfully mistreating an animal and causing such distress it had to
be put down in April this year.
Wilson told the court he knew he had been cruel but he was provoked.
"I know what I done (sic) was wrong," he said. "But the cats wouldn't learn."
Gremlin, a 3-year-old Persian cat, suffered renal failure and had to be put down after drinking the poisoned milk.
Wilson defended his actions saying neighbourhood cats had tormented his prize-winning racing pigeons and killed two birds worth $250.
Wilson said tenants in the Housing New Zealand enclave where he lived moved frequently, abandoning "wild cats" who would chase or kill his pigeons and eat the goldfish he also bred.
Anger over the loss of the birds had prompted him to mix household chemicals with milk and leave the concoction at the edge of his property for cats to drink.
The exact type of the chemicals was suppressed.
Judge Colin Doherty told Wilson the charge against him was very serious and carried a maximum three-year prison sentence.
The judge convicted and fined Wilson $300, plus ordered him to pay $130 court costs and $300 to Gremlin's owner to cover veterinary fees.
- NZPA
