Men charged over dogs' deaths

Two men who allegedly shot 33 dogs on a rural property near Wellsford north of Auckland have been charged with animal cruelty offences by the SPCA.

Garth Halliday, chief executive at Auckland SPCA, confirmed today the charges had been laid against Russell Mendoza and Tony Campbell today under the Animal Welfare Act, but he would not go into details.

They could face up to three years jail if the charges against them were proven.

It is not yet known when the men will appear in court.

The SPCA previously said seven of the dogs died a slow and painful death when they were shot following a row between the dogs' owner Rowan Hargreaves and his neighbour Mendoza, who claimed the dogs killed his pet dog.

- NZPA