Lincoln « Wellington SPCA

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June 27, 2011

A sad farewell

It is with great sadness that we must inform you that Lincoln, the Rhodesian ridgeback who survived a horrific dog fight two years ago, passed away last Tuesday (21st) aged 16 years.

Lincoln came into our temporary care in April 2009 after he was found badly injured following the planned attack. The organiser of the fight was prosecuted by Wellington SPCA and received a prison sentence.

Janet and Joe, Lincoln’s owners had these words to say following his sad death:

Many thanks to SPCA Wellington for all your support towards Lincoln.

My special thanks to Lisa and the inspectors that worked on Lincoln’s case alongside the Police and the media, to have the guy convicted which sets a precedent that this type of cruelty to dogs cannot continue to happen.

Dogs give unconditional love for their owners if they are treated well.

Also a very special thank you to the New Zealand public who donated money and cards to Lincoln. My heartfelt thanks to you all.

December 11, 2009

Topics: Latest /Lincoln /Media

Wellington SPCA achieves landmark sentence

Wellington SPCA is quietly celebrating following the sentencing yesterday of William Kain Campbell who was involved in a sickening dog fight earlier this year. The fight involved Lincoln, a 14 year-old Ridgeback cross breed that he had stolen to use as bait in the fight.

Mr Campbell received a 10 month prison sentence and became the first person in New Zealand to go to jail for dogfighting. He also received a lifetime ban that means he can never own a ‘companion’ animal again. Mr Campbell will also have to pay over $4,000 in costs.

“The sentence is a major achievement for animal welfare in this country, as well as for Wellington SPCA”, said Peter Mason, Wellington SPCA’s Executive Director. “We hope that the sentence sends a strong message to anyone involved in this type of brutal activity that they will be caught and dealt with harshly by the courts.”

The case was brought to the courts through the joint efforts of Wellington SPCA, Porirua Police and Animal Control.

A strong message

Lincoln

In April this year, Campbell unlawfully took Lincoln from a property in Titahi Bay. After transporting him in the boot of his car to a park, he used him as bait for his own dog, Duke, to violently attack.

Judge Geoff Ellis said to Campbell that what he did was ”truly despicable” and that Campbell’s actions were “brutality of the worst kind towards an animal”.

During the fight Campbell not only encouraged his dog to attack Lincoln, but had also physically inflicted further injury by trying to break Lincoln’s hind leg. After the fight, Campbell did not seek veterinary treatment for the injuries inflicted on either dog and abandoned Lincoln at the scene, where he was found cowering in a public toilet.

Traumatic

Both dogs survived the fight but have been left with physical and emotional injuries. The incident has also been very traumatic for Lincoln’s owners;

“They have been very brave throughout their ordeal” commented Ben Lakomy, the Wellington SPCA animal welfare inspector involved with the case. “We hope the knowledge that the man who acted so violently towards their dog has now been held accountable for his actions will enable them to move forward”.

Dukes is being cared for at an animal shelter and will be assessed for adoption.

There has been a great deal of media coverage of the case – there are links below to the news reports from yesterday’s sentencing. Please be aware that the video content is graphic and shows the dogs fighting.

TV3 news report

TV1 news report

Dominion Post article

October 20, 2009

Topics: Latest /Lincoln /Media

Lincoln sentencing delayed

William Campbell, who pleaded guilty to seven animal cruelty and dog fighting charges in the Porirua District Court last August, has had his sentencing on these charges delayed. Campbell is also facing prosecution by the police for the alleged theft of Lincoln, the elderly dog which Campbell encouraged his own dog to attack, and the judge wishes this case to be heard before sentencing him on the animal welfare charges. Sentencing is now likely to take place later in December.

October 5, 2009

Topics: Latest /Lincoln /Media

“Lincoln” features in SPCA List of Shame

lincoln

“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.

August 26, 2009

Topics: Campaigns /Latest /Lincoln /Media

Guilty pleas in Lincoln case

lincoln-goes-home William Kain Campbell of Titahi Bay has today plead guilty to 7 charges relating to an incident involving ‘Lincoln’ the elderly Ridgeback X dog he had in possession unlawfully and used as dog fighting bait, and his own dog ‘Dukes’.

There was a huge public outcry in April when Lincoln was stolen from a street in Titahi Bay and taken to a secluded park where William Campbell set his dog ‘Dukes’ onto Lincoln. After the attack, Campbell left the park leaving Lincoln badly injured, bleeding and hiding in a toilet block.

Wellington SPCA will be seeking a custodial sentence when William Campbell appears for sentencing in October.

April 28, 2009

Topics: Latest /Lincoln /Media

Lincoln update

lincoln2 Lincoln was back to visit Wellington SPCA’s vets yesterday to have the wound on his neck checked. Emma the vet said it is healing nicely and there isn’t any sign of infection. A few more staples holding other smaller wounds were also removed as they are healing well. Read more …

April 22, 2009

Topics: Lincoln /Media

Lincoln’s road to recovery

After a check up with Wellington SPCA's vets

Lincoln went home on Friday to continue his recovery. His owners, Janet and Joe, report he is very happy to be home. He is also very happy with the electric blanket that someone donated for him. Instead of getting up at around 6am and wanting to go for a walk, Lincoln is happy to spend a little longer in bed in the mornings!

He was back to see the vets at Wellington SPCA yesterday. He is far more mobile than he was last week and spent a bit of time in the carpark sniffing around. The vets were happy with most of his progress but are concerned about the large wound on his neck.

Lincoln was brought back in this morning for an operation to have the wound on his neck stitched to help it heal. The vets will also further examine one of his legs which he is still very unstable on while he is under a general anaesthetic. Lincoln should be well enough to return home again tonight.

William Kain Campbell of Titahi Bay appeared in court yesterday charged with stealing Lincoln. Further charges will be laid against him by Wellington SPCA in the next few days.

Read all our posts about Lincoln

Read the latest Dominion Post article on Lincoln’s case

April 17, 2009

Topics: Lincoln /Media

Man arrested for stealing Lincoln

Lincoln - on his way home

Wellington SPCA with the help of Police and Porirua Animal Control executed a search warrant and arrested a 25 year old man last night (Friday). He has been charged with stealing Lincoln , the dog stolen from his home and used as ‘bait’ in a dog fight on Easter Monday. A number of items and a dog were seized as part of this search. The dog, a large cross breed, with injuries from Monday’s fight is now in the custody of Wellington SPCA. The items siezed as part of this investigation will require further testing.

Wellington SPCA was given information from 2 members of the public who witnessed the attack on Lincoln. Although he has been charged with the theft of Lincoln other charges are expected to be laid. Wellington SPCA are now confident this person was the only one responsible for the attack on Lincoln.

Lincoln is making good progress and has gone home to continue his recovery. Lincoln’s wounds are healing well and he seems to be in less pain when walking. Wellington SPCA’s vets have sucessfully kept his injuries free from infection and felt he would be happier at home. His treatment will continue and he will still require regular visits to the vet.

April 15, 2009

Topics: Lincoln /Media

Stolen dog used as fight ‘bait’

Lucky to be alive

Lincoln, a 14 year old Ridgeback X, is lucky to be alive after being stolen and used as bait for a dog fight on Easter Monday.

Lincoln was stolen from his home in Titahi Bay at around 10am on Monday morning. Just before noon the same day, a person walking their dog at Shelly Bay in Whitirea Park , Porirua saw Lincoln let out of a red hatchback car that arrived at the park. A Pit Bull that was chained to the back of a van was let off the chain and attacked Lincoln. Another Pit Bull was also encouraged by the men to join in the fight.

Despite his age, Lincoln put up a fight and got hold of one of the Pit Bulls. Unable to seperate the dogs, one of the Pit Bull owners tried to break Lincoln’s legs. As soon as the dogs separated the Pit Bull owners took their dogs and fled the park, leaving Lincoln injured and hiding in a toilet block. A witness who saw the whole incident called the Police and waited until they arrived to ensure Lincoln was alright.

Police and Animal Control coaxed Lincoln out of the toilet block and he was taken to the vet for immediate treatment. Wellington SPCA’s vets say the next few days will be critical for Lincoln as they fight to prevent his wounds becoming infected. Lincoln’s owner has been to visit him and is horrified he was used in this way.

Wellington SPCA and two generous anonymous donors have put up a reward of $20,000 to anyone not associated with this incident, for information leading to a conviction of the people responsible for this attack. Wellington SPCA have also set up a fund for donations to help pay for Lincoln’s veterinary costs and the cost of investigating this attack. You can donate to Lincoln’s fund on this website or by calling 04 389 7387.

Watch Channel One news item

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