Website of the YearAn apparent surge in cases of extreme animal cruelty this year has alarmed animal welfare officers.
The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals today released a "list of shame" of 30 incidents between January and July.
It said the list provided "chilling evidence of the warped personalities of a minority of New Zealanders".
Incidents include:
* a 12-week-old kitten discovered hanging from a Rotorua tree, with scratch marks indicating a long, painful death, and a graphic description of the animal's fate painted on the owner's house;
* a Hamilton cat with fish hooks pushed through its back legs after being dragged behind a car;
* six flea-covered and malnourished puppies left abandoned in a tied-up plastic bag near Waihi;
* the remains of a duck blown apart by a home-made bomb in a Lower Hutt park.
* a distressed duck wandering around in Blenheim with a kebab skewer through its beak.
SPCA chief executive Peter Blomkamp said the list was not a comprehensive one and excluded cases of farm animals being neglected or organised dog-fighting.
But each incident cited was "atrocious", he said.
"Collectively, they prompt deep concern over the warped and sadistic personalities of some of our fellow citizens."
Mr Blomkamp said there were several cases of dogs and cats severely injured by slug gun pellets.
He said one Lower Hutt puppy had been used for target practice, apparently after being trapped or chained-up.
"At the SPCA, we do not recall ever reading so many reports in so short a period concerning gross and vindictive cruelty to animals," he said.
"There is great cause for alarm concerning the way our animals are treated."
Mr Blomkamp said a large body of international research pointed to a correlation between cruelty to animals and cruelty to fellow human beings.
He said people should get in touch immediately with their local SPCA if they suspected animal abuse was occurring. Their complaints would be treated in confidence.
"We also need a far more robust attitude from the courts, which continue to hand down sentences that make a mockery of our animal welfare legislation.
"At least some of the pathetic, cowardly sadists responsible for the suffering of animals would think twice if they thought there was a chance of something approaching a maximum sentence being handed out."
The Animal Welfare Act allows for fines of up to $50,000 and/or three-year jail terms for acts of wilful cruelty.
- NZPA
New Zealand