A severly emaciated dog and her 10-week-old pup have been seized by the SPCA after being found alone and in poor health at a Hutt Valley house.

After a complaint from a member of the public, Wellington SPCA inspectors went to the property yesterday afternoon and found the scrawny mother with her pup, who was also in bad state.

Because nobody was home, both dogs were impounded under the Animal Welfare Act and taken to the SPCA's Newtown headquarters for treatment.

SPCA chief inspector Ritchie Dawson said the case would be investigated to determine if the owner should be prosecuted.

It was the owner's responsibility to ensure that dogs who lived outside in winter were fed more and had adequate shelter, he said. Inspectors tended to see more underweight animals at this time of year because of the cold.

"Proper feeding of outside dogs ensures they have the fat insulation required to aid warmth in the cold weather."

Contact Matt Stewart
Weather, science and environment reporter
Email: matt.stewart@dompost.co.nz
Twitter: @smatape

- © Fairfax NZ News

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