A couple in Auckland has been sentenced after their severe neglect left two dogs in terrible condition, with one so sick he had to be put down. The SPCA was first alerted in March 2022 about a dog named Tyson, who was found extremely underweight. Another dog, Sarge, later collapsed from weakness and painful sores. Despite being given food and medical help, the owners failed to care for them. Sarge was humanely euthanised, and Tyson was seized by inspectors. On September 4, the pair pleaded guilty to animal ill-treatment. They were sentenced to 12 months’ supervision, banned from owning pets for five years and fined nearly $4,900. The SPCA called the neglect “utterly unacceptable.”
