Upper Hutt animal rescue group fights bestiality, dodgy dealer and prong collars
A chihuahua pup from Gisborne called Google that died of parvovirus earlier this month.
A string of indecent acts involving bestiality, parvovirus, and a prong collar, has got a Wellington animal rescue group ready to fight.
Upper Hutt-based HUHA NZ is seeking a lawyer to work pro bono on at least three cases: a criminal matter involving alleged bestiality between a man and a farm animal; a possible breach of contract involving the owner of a re-homed dog using a prong collar, and a dodgy animal dealer.
Director Carolyn Press-McKenzie said police had gathered evidence against a man who allegedly committed sex acts with a farm animal.
A chihuahua pup from Gisborne called Google that died of parvovirus earlier this month.
She could not go into further details while the investigation was in its early stages, but hoped "the full effect of the law" would eventually come against him.
"That kind of situation isn't good for any living being; to be forced into any situation that's not consensual.
"But we want to do everything we can to help animals. A lawyer may only investigate a few of our cases, but we won't leave a stone unturned."
Another case involved a small, blind chihuahua from Gisborne called Google that died of parvovirus last weekend.
It was bought and sold unvaccinated along with two siblings at just six weeks old, though the siblings were shifted to a different home, sparking concern that the virus went with them.
The puppy represented the 41st time HUHA had dealt with a case of parvovirus in the last four years, but their first in which the dog had died of it.
"We put out a [Facebook] post looking for the puppies, and found the owner who got them tested and it came back negative for both.
"That issue is something we've just lived through in the last 48 to 72 hours. I think it's something that happens around New Zealand.
"We want to see what we can do because for years this guy has been selling animals."
READ MORE: Stokes Valley vet sees highest number of dogs with deadly virus in years
She believed the dealer had previously sold a family a horse that was well-below expectations.
The third case involved the owner of one of HUHA's re-homed dogs who the organisation claims had been using a prong collar.
That could go against a contractual agreement that states a new owner should only use methods of positive reinforcement.
"We know the Animal Welfare Act is a tricky one, and we know the SPCA are great but they often don't have the resources to privately pursue cases.
"It's kind of sad that it's come to this, that we need to be fighting these little battles along the way."
- Stuff
