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Home / New Zealand

SPCA to lay charges over 'callous' killing of 10-month-old puppy

By Carla Penman
NZ Herald·
28 Feb, 2018 08:53 PM2 mins to read

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An Auckland couple’s two dogs had their throats slit during a flat eviction, one fatally.

The SPCA is taking legal action after a 10-month-old puppy had its throat slashed.

NZH Focus last month spoke to Auckland couple Jack Van Biljon and Casey Halpin, both 22, whose staffy-kelpie cross named Turbo had his throat slashed during a flat eviction.

Van Biljon said he heard Halpin scream when she found Turbo lying in a pool of his own blood.

"He'd basically bled out in the car," Halpin said.

Jack Vanbiljon, left, and his girlfriend Casey Halpin with their bull terrier, Nova. who had her throat slashed. The couples other dog Turbo died from his injuries. Photo / Jason Oxenham
Jack Vanbiljon, left, and his girlfriend Casey Halpin with their bull terrier, Nova. who had her throat slashed. The couples other dog Turbo died from his injuries. Photo / Jason Oxenham
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"But the worst thing is trying to get that image out of your head. You see your puppy in the back of the car with his neck open and he's looking at you wagging his tail and his last breaths are him trying to come to me," Van Biljon said.

The couple's 3-year-old bull terrier, named Nova, also had its throat slit and needed eight staples.

Auckland SPCA's chief inspector Greg Reid told NZH Focus that Turbo's post-mortem examination results revealed the puppysuffered a "horrendous throat cut injury that resulted in his death and created a lot of pain and distress for the dog".

Reid says they plan to charge the alleged offender with wilful ill treatment under the Health and Safety Act early next week.

Turbo bled out in his owner's car after suffering a horrendous throat injury. Photo / Supplied
Turbo bled out in his owner's car after suffering a horrendous throat injury. Photo / Supplied

The charge has a penalty of up to five years' imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $100,000.

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The SPCA was also looking at laying charges over Nova's injury, which was still being investigated, he said.

A 39-year-old man appeared in court this month, charged with possessing an offensive weapon.

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New Zealand|crime

'I lost my best friend': Horrific attack on dogs stuns couple

08 Feb 04:00 PM
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