The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals wants judges to impose harsher sentences for crimes against animals after a spate of attacks on wildlife.
The poisoning of marine animals at an aquarium in Wellington at the weekend followed three other recent incidents, including the killings of black-billed gulls near Rangiora and Ashburton, and the theft of fairy tern eggs at Rodney.
SPCA national president Bob Kerridge said research from New Zealand and overseas shows a strong link between animal cruelty and violence against humans.
He said too many judges still treat crimes against animals too leniently.
