Subj : Woman fined after dog chained to tree without water, shelter
To   : All
From : News Person
Date : Sat Mar 02 2024 01:28 pm

An Auckland woman has been fined after keeping her dog on a tangled chain
tied to a tree without water and shelter.


In June 2023, SPCA inspectors were called to a home in Mangere East after
receiving concerned calls from a member of the public, the SPCA said today.


In the front yard, they found Ferguson, a female American Pitbull Terrier
cross, chained to a tree.


The chain had become tangled and was wrapped around the tree and Ferguson's
bare neck.


It had become so tangled she was unable to access her kennel, and her
movement was restricted to a metre away from the tree.


Multiple bowls surrounded the dog, but all were empty. She also had no access
to water.


No one was home at the time of the visit.


During a return visit, SPCA inspectors discovered her situation was unchanged
and Ferguson was removed from the front yard after being surrendered by her
owner.


The dog's owner said Ferguson had to be tethered due to a lack of fencing on
the property. She said she didn't have the money to purchase the supplies
required to comply with regulations.


A veterinary assessment confirmed Ferguson was fearful, stressed and anxious,
resulting in part from her poor socialisation.


Ferguson also had "fly-bitten ears, poor body condition, and it would have
been obvious to a lay person that she needed veterinary treatment", the SPCA
said.


After several weeks, the decision was made to euthanise Ferguson due to her
ongoing behavioural challenges and stress.


The woman pleaded guilty to two counts in the Manukau District Court today,
the SPCA said.


She was ordered to pay a $400 fine and $130 in court costs.


In a statement, SPCA chief executive Todd Westwood said failing to provide
the bare necessities "is akin to holding an animal hostage".


"How can an animal enjoy life when it is struggling just to survive? It's
heartbreaking to see a dog spending its every moment on a chain, restricted
to a tiny space with nothing to drink."


He continued: "Life-chained dogs like poor Ferguson suffer more than physical
wounds - it's the mental trauma which is harder to heal."


"This is why SPCA is pressing for regulations to be introduced that will
allow us to help more dogs living on chains before it is too late for them.
In Ferguson's case, I am just pleased we were able to put an end to her
suffering."

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