Wellsford dog massacre inquiry continues

It may take weeks before charges are laid following the frenzied slaughter of 33 dogs in Northland last month.

SPCA executive director Bob Kerridge said there was still a lot of work to be done before the investigation was completed.

The SPCA announced on February 5 that it would proceed with charges.

The dogs were allegedly shot by two men with a .22 calibre rifle and a shotgun in a dispute between the dogs' owner Rowan Hargreaves and his neighbour Russell Mendoza at a rural property near Wellsford.

Mr Kerridge told NZPA further interviews were required before charges could be laid. The two people involved had both appointed lawyers which had slowed the process down.

"From the case's point of view, the interviews are a pretty important part of what we do. However, it's not the end of the earth if we don't get them, but it's desirable to get them."

He could not put a time frame on the investigation.

"We like to do things very carefully and make sure we've dotted all the i's and crossed the t's. It certainly will be a matter of weeks," Mr Kerridge said.

Police had described the scene as "a bloody, rifle-killing frenzy".

- NZPA