“Lincoln” the elderly Ridgeback stolen and used as dog fighting bait features in the Royal New Zealand SPCA List of Shame released today. William Campbell pleaded guilty to seven animal cruelty and dog fighting charges in the Porirua District Court last August and is due to be sentenced this Friday. Wellington SPCA executive director, Peter Mason, says “we are seeking a custodial sentence which sends a clear message that this type of abuse will not be tolerated”.

The annual list also features several horrific local cases of kittens been mutilated, including having their tails and paws cut off. Peter Mason, says “this is particularly disturbing given that it involves abuse of young defenceless animals. It is quite probable that these attacks are made by children and, given the proven links between children abusing animals and later growing up to abuse people, this is a very worrying trend.”

The recent case of severe neglect of an elderly tabby cat is also featured. The cat was discovered emaciated, covered in faeces and with maggots growing in its flesh, and had to be euthanased by Wellington SPCA vets to prevent further suffering. This case was successfully prosecuted by Wellington SPCA with Floyd and Antoinette McGovern, who claimed they were too busy with their business to take care of their cat, being sentenced to 150 hours community service and banned from owning pets.