Latest from Pets & Animals

$80k payout after 250 pigs stampede

When a farmer sued a hot air balloon firm for causing a pig stampede, he needed trigonometry, a lucky photograph and a laser rangefinder to prove he wasn't telling porkies.

Building a new home? Don't bring a cat

New homes being built on the Otago Peninsula could soon come with a strict new planning rule - no cats. But what would a cat ban involve?

Wairarapa sheep killer told off by judge

Talk to the Animals: What to do when dogs attack

Sally Hibbard spoke to a leading dog trainer and behavior expert who made it very clear that there is no definitive way to stop an attack, but offers these tips.

'Most dangerous alien species' found in UK reservoir

Paul Little: When dogs go bad, put them down

I was once at a party where a child was attacked by one of the host's two rottweilers. Fortunately, there were many people nearby so the dog's teeth and the child's throat were soon parted and the boy suffered no grievous harm.

Cat-astrophe survivors

Last year Craig Bullock brought us a book hailing the canine heroes and victims of Christchurch’s earthquakes. Now it’s the turn of the felines.

Dr Cathy Casey: Don't blame the dog - it's up to us

Dogs strut their stuff

Photos from the 60th Eukanuba National Dog Show

Is your dog an optimist or a pessimist?

New research, which measures the positive and negative emotional states in dogs, shows that man’s best friend can now be defined as a ‘pessimist’ or as an ‘optimist’.

Talk to the Animals: 10 ways to keep pets cool this summer

If spending hot summer days in a fur coat doesn't appeal, then spare a thought for the cats, dogs and other furry creatures that don't have any option as temperatures rise.

Dog rescued after five days in hole

A golden retriever has been rescued after being trapped down a hole on the West Coast for five days.

Cat comes back (4 years later)

The amazing story of a cat that travelled more than 200 kilometres and turned up at the Gisborne SPCA after going missing four years earlier has come to a very happy ending.

Photos: Crap taxidermy

<i>Images are extracted from Crap Taxidermy by Kat Su, RRP $19.99, available 30 September where all good books are sold.</i>

51 turtles found in trousers

Man admits torturing cats

Graphic content warning: A 22-year old man has admitted to animal cruelty charges in the Greymouth District Court.