'Truly shocking' cases among Marlborough's record-high animal cruelty complaints

Friday, 12 October 2018

SPCA inspector Donna Walzl with an English bull terrier covered in sores. (File Photo)

Clandestine animal breeding operations in Marlborough have put already overloaded inspectors under more pressure.

Concerns over animal cruelty rocketed to a record high in Marlborough last year with 161 complaints in 2016 and 283 in 2017 - a massive 75 per cent increase on the year before.

The SPCA 'List of Shame' in 2017 included a neglected horse left in pain with a deformed eye and engorged head injury.

SPCA inspector Donna Walzl, one of three for the top of the south, said she could not reveal specific details about the complaints, but said the cruelty involved was 'truly shocking'.

A new inspector was expected to start work in the area soon to help ease the burden on inspectors, who were all based in Nelson.

Monty was one of six puppies abandoned in Nelson last year. (File Photo)

Four kittens found dumped in a bag in December 2017.

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In November last year, the Marlborough and Nelson centres merged which saw all inspectors move to the Nelson branch.

They travelled to Marlborough once or twice a week, Walzl said. The three inspectors covered Golden Bay, Westport, Buller, Nelson, Marlborough and Kaikōura.

'There are very serious animal cruelty complaints in Marlborough that inspectors have seen. There is certainly a lot of animal cruelty out there.'

Walzl said complaints in the region, with its hunting community, sometimes included treatment of pig dogs.

Last month alone, inspectors received 18 new complaints.

'That doesn't include the number of follow-up cases,' Walzl said.

'Making Marlborough and Nelson one region gives inspectors support. It can be quite scary going out on your own and while we often do, it's great to have support easily available.

'It's great for our mental health too.'

SPCA chief executive Andrea Midgen confirmed the rise in complaints had placed inspectors across the country under increased pressure.

'Seeing a rise in the number of animal welfare complaints year on year, shows we continue to have significant animal cruelty issues in New Zealand.

'People think it's a bad thing that it's increased but I tend to think the cases were always out there but are just being reported more,' she said.

But she warned attitudes towards animals still needed to change.

'People have different ways of treating animals from those who have them tucked up tight in bed right next to them to those who keep them outside.

'The amount of abuse in New Zealand society is really tough on both humans and animals.

'I wish we could evolve a bit quicker and shift attitudes on.'

SPCA revealed its new fundraiser last month; Walk Your Dog to the Moon.

Staff hoped to recruit Kiwis to walk 385,500 kilometres, the distance of the Earth to the Moon, with their four-legged friends.

It was a great way for owners to spend more time getting out and about with their dogs, Midgen said.

'It costs us $40 million a year across the country to run our centres.

'We hope to raise $150,000 which is a small amount really but it all helps. Demand for our services has never been greater.'

SPCA Marlborough will hold a Walk Your Dog to the Moon event on Sunday, November 4 at 11am at their Renwick centre for registered walkers.

You can register for Walk Your Dog to the Moon at: walktothemoon.co.nz