Man convicted after repeatedly striking dog with rope

He appeared in Manakau District Court on 29 October, charged with one count of ill-treatment of an animal.

Between December 2023 and February 2024, the defendant was caring for a female tan and white mixed breed dog named North.

During this time, the man was witnessed repeatedly assaulting North which was seen by concerned members of the public nearby and sometimes captured on video.

A four-minute-long video, captured in February 2024, contained footage of the defendant repeatedly striking North with a rope-like object. She could be heard yelping in pain and distress.

SPCA Inspectors visited the address shortly after and executed a search warrant, and North was seized and taken into SPCA care. Several lengths of rope were found scattered around the garden.

A veterinarian who viewed the video footage said it showed clear evidence of physical abuse, causing unreasonable and unnecessary pain and distress to North.

North showed clear behavioural signs of fear, stress and anxiety, including whimpering and yelping, as well as fearful body language, including cowering in a corner.

SPCA CEO, Todd Westwood says the footage was brutal to watch.

"The treatment of North is both devastating and horrifying," Mr Westwood says.

"Striking an animal in any case is absolutely unacceptable and it is deeply upsetting to see the fear and distress North experienced."

North remains in SPCA care and is doing well.

When the defendant was shown the footage he claimed he was hitting her with something that appeared to be a flat rope that had been used to hold the fence together, as North was always getting out.

He said even though he hit her, she never sustained any injury.

The defendant was also ordered to pay $2,000 reparations to SPCA and $250 towards legal fees.