A South Auckland man who almost starved his dog to death has been fined $350 and banned from owning another dog for five years.
The dog had to be put down due to behavioural problems. Photo: SPCA
SPCA Auckland says Jared Kelly, 23, pleaded guilty in the Papakura District Court to ill-treating an animal. He was ordered to pay 130 in court costs and reparations of nearly $400.
The SPCA says an inspector found an adult male boxer-Staffordshire terrier crossbreed chained on the ground with no shelter on Kelly's property.
The dog was so thin that his ribcage, backbone and hip bones were clearly visible and so weak that he struggled to bark.
The SPCA says a vet concluded the animal would have died if left with Kelly, but unfortunately it had to be put down because of serious behaviour problems caused by the neglect.
