Puppy killer pleads guilty to boxer-cross' death

Mathew Awhi George. Photo / APN

A Te Kuiti man says he bludgeoned a six-month-old boxer-cross puppy to death with a golf club because the dog "bit that hand that fed him".

Mathew Awhi George laughed and scoffed during an appearance in Te Kuiti District Court yesterday morning.

George pleaded guilty to charges of wilfully ill-treating an animal, possessing an offensive weapon and threatening behaviour.

Police arrived during the attack but he threatened them with an axe, a shovel and a steel bar during a stand-off lasting 35 minutes.

George was remanded in custody and is to reappear for sentencing on June 29.

- NZ Herald staff