A 44-year-old man has been charged after allegedly threatening to seriously harm three puppies and being seen hitting them near Parnell Train Station on Sunday evening, RNZ reported.
Police said they were alerted by a concerned member of the public, and CCTV footage later showed the man putting the puppies into a bag and punching them. He was arrested on Cheshire Street shortly after and has been charged with ill-treatment under the Animal Welfare Act, according to acting Auckland Central Area prevention manager Senior Sergeant Dave Plunkett.
“It’s senseless why someone would want to bring harm upon these young pups,” Plunkett said. “I’d like to acknowledge those members of the public who called police immediately, allowing us to prevent further harm.”
The puppies, believed to be four to six months old Staffordshire Bull Terriers, were rescued and are now in the care of an Auckland Council animal management shelter, RNZ reported.
Regional shelter manager Nikki Cripps said incidents like this happen far too often.
“These puppies didn’t ask to be born, and they certainly didn’t deserve to end up in danger,” she said. “If people would simply desex their dogs, we wouldn’t see this endless cycle of unwanted litters and needless suffering. People who cannot register, desex, microchip, and provide proper care should not own one.”
The puppies will undergo a temperament test on day four to assess their suitability for rehoming. However, Cripps noted that their future could be limited by the shelter’s need to keep kennels available for incoming dogs.
The man is expected to appear in Auckland District Court in the coming days, RNZ reported.