Pet dogs found in pond

An Otematata woman is in shock after her two missing dogs were found slaughtered and dumped in the area's sewerage water reservoir.

The killings have sparked the offer of a $2000 reward for the culprits' arrest.

The dogs – a six-year-old brindle boxer called Lilly and a 10-month-old american bulldog called Layla – were stolen from their owner's home on February 28. Otematata Holiday Park owner Tara O'Reilly said both of her "girls" were passive, lovely and part of the family.

Their killing was hard on her seven-year-old son, who regarded them as his best friends, she said.

"I'm just angry and I'm on a mission," Miss O'Reilly said "because if that can happen to me it can happen to anyone".

She said there had been an outpouring of support since a farmer had found the dogs in the treated water.

Miss O'Reilly said she would not rest until the culprits were found and had told animal rights group Paw Justice of the brutal act. The group's founder, Craig Dunn, told The Timaru Herald of the killings yesterday after Miss O'Reilly contacted him.

Although police have confirmed the bodies were found on Sunday and they are investigating, they declined to comment further.

Mr Dunn is offering a $2000 reward to anyone who dobs in the "psychopaths" responsible.

"This is horrific. They were found bludgeoned to death and thrown in the sewerage pond. It's a very small town so hopefully someone will know something."

People should not care about "narking" on their mates because animal cruelty was a proven precursor to more violent acts. "We've actually got these little psychopaths running around and we have got to get them off the street. It's cool if you nark on them. You're a hero."

Mr Dunn said if people were afraid to go to the police, they could visit pawjustice.co.nz.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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Morgan   #2   02:18 pm Mar 14 2010

My deepest sympathies got out to the owners of these poor dogs. I agree with Carrie #1, I Really hope the perpetrators of this cowardly and psychopathic act are caught and dealt with severely...maybe they will meet their Own end in the same way...let's hope so. Seems to be a weekly headline, if not daily! But I have to wonder how many despicable acts of cruelty and abuse are committed around the country every day, are not witnessed and don't get reported. The sooner the harsher penalties are made Law the better and hopefully the Courts do their Duty and convict and Punish accordingly. I would like to see a fund set up, that offer's a reward for information leading to conviction; this can be done anonymously. Maybe some business's could collectively contribute a donation to help =^..^=

carrie   #1   08:31 pm Mar 13 2010

I'm so saddened to hear that some idiot's brutalized helpless loving animals. These weren't menacing dogs, they were someone's beloved pet. There is no reason for this other than just plain sick and mean - My condolences to the pup's family - and I hope like hell they catch the culprits. People that are sociopathic kills generally start with animals and end up murdering people at a later point in time.

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