Woman charged after SPCA discovers puppy with a fractured hip and over 100 fish bones in stomach

The woman appeared in the Tauranga District Court on 16 September, after pleading guilty to a charge of ill treatment and failing to provide proper and sufficient food to an animal.

She was sentenced to nine months’ supervision and 100 hours community work.

SPCA Inspectors were called to a property in June 2024 and discovered a five-month-old Pitbull cross puppy, known as Patchy.

The puppy stood with his right-hind leg off the ground and had an obvious limp when encouraged to walk. He was also severely emaciated. The Inspectors took the puppy into their possession and transported him to a veterinarian.

A veterinary examination, including X-rays, revealed a complete, displaced fracture of his femoral head (hip fracture), a bullet lodged in his leg, and his stomach filled with material which resembled bones or metal.

The veterinarian concluded the fracture was the cause of ongoing severe pain and reduced the puppy’s mobility. It was estimated to have occurred about two weeks prior. The bullet wound would have been painful at the time of injury but was no longer causing pain as it had healed.

Due to the severity of his injuries and the severe emaciation caused by inadequate nutrition, the decision was made to humanely euthanise Patchy. A post-mortem exam revealed that his stomach was filled with more than 100 fishbones and large pieces of fish scales.

SPCA CEO, Todd Westwood said the neglect of Patchy was unacceptable.

“A puppy’s early start to life is a time where it should be the most joyous. At five months old this puppy was suffering in pain, misery and starvation. The owner had every opportunity to seek help from a veterinarian or SPCA for food or assistance with vet treatment but chose not to. As a result, Patchy’s life ended before it even began.”

The defendant told SPCA Inspectors she knew Patchy was in pain and put an antibiotic and paracetamol in his food. She said she didn’t take Patchy to the vet because she couldn’t afford it.

The defendant was also disqualified from owning all animals for a period of three years and ordered to pay reparations of $828 and $250 towards legal fees.