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Dog shooters sentenced: home detention, community work

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Shooters in dog 'massacre' sentenced

3News NZ

 

By 3 News online staff

Two men found guilty of killing 33 dogs in what was described as “a frenzied attack” have been sentenced at the Auckland District Court.

Tony Campbell was sentenced to six months' home detention and 300 hours community work. The judge recommended he serve it at the SPCA headquarters near where he lives.

His co-accused Russell Mendoza was sentenced to six months' community detention and 300 hours community work for his part in the massacre.

Both men were ordered to pay reparations of $4775 - a total of $9551.

Mendoza and Campbell never denied they shot the dogs on the property of neighbour Rowan Hargreaves in Wellsford in 2010, but they argued Mr Hargreaves gave them permission to shoot the dogs after one attacked Mendoza’s fox terrier.

They also claimed the killings were carried out humanely, but the Crown disputed this and in May the two men were found guilty of four counts of wilful ill treatment of animals as well as reckless use of a firearm.

SPCA Auckland said it was disappointed with the sentences.

“This is a case involving the brutal and bloodthirsty massacre of innocent animals for which there can be no absolution,” says director Bob Kerridge.

“It’s unfortunate that the offence took place before increased penalties were introduced into the Animal Welfare Act. This fact may have played into the judge’s decision to impose lighter sentences than the law now permits.

“It is fair to say that the SPCA is disappointed with these sentences as we believe the severity of the offences undoubtedly warranted a prison term… However, SPCA Auckland remains pleased that these serious offenders have been brought to court and made answerable for their actions.”

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Comments

31/10/2012 6:14:09 p.m.

Peter McGuire wrote:

In this twisted world so much importance is placed on the well - being of animals. Where goes the same level of revulsion over the thosands of unborn children being murdered in our abortion clinics? And anyway, emotive arguements aside, how is the death of a dog so much more significant than the death of a rat? Both animals, both intelligent warm - blooded mammals-

20/07/2012 8:34:18 p.m.

Sally wrote:

AL are you a friend of theirs or something? Those men could very easily have found another way. Instead they choose to brutally attack and kill those poor animals. It says something about their psyche that that was the choice THEY made. There is NO excuse for that.

20/07/2012 6:13:27 p.m.

Brenda wrote:

Home detention.....What a bloody joke. This is a kick in the teeth for those who are trying to get rights for animals. The judge should have imprisoned these two men to show others that this brutal attack and the many others that go unreported just will not be tolerated. The judge also needs to look at her role in the outcome.... again the victims are the ones getting screwed... 33 deaths, no one accountable, come on New Zealand...

20/07/2012 6:06:39 p.m.

Leonie wrote:

Those guys got a slap on the hand for a grotesque crime. A lot of those puppies and dogs didn't die straight away - cowering to get away. This sends a terrible message to our country. It makes me sick.

20/07/2012 5:42:19 p.m.

Jim Seaview wrote:

QUOTE: "SPCA Auckland said it was disappointed with the sentences.

“This is a case involving the brutal and bloodthirsty massacre of innocent animals for which there can be no absolution,” says director Bob Kerridge."


These slaughtered animals were innocent and Mr Campbell and Mr Mendoza should have, I believe received prison sentences for their cowardly and frenzied way they went about their neighbors property and shot the dogs and puppies. A lot of the dogs were wounded and left to die suffering.
How can they claim they murdered the dogs "humanely"????????

Nothing has been said about confiscating their rifles and gun licenses - and that is also a worry with these light sentences.

These cowboys are very lucky.

20/07/2012 4:33:35 p.m.

Al wrote:

The Judge got things right. The actions of these 2 mens does disgust many. However the whole thing would not have happened had: 1. The District Council dog control been on top of things and made hargreaves register his dogs. 2. Hargreaves had controlled and housed the dogs so they were not a nuisance. 3. Hargreaves had been responsible and had a vet euthanase when he knew the dog situation at his residence was out of control. 4. Hargreaves had been a responsible owner and had his original pair of dogs that produced this pack, desexed. There is always 2 sides to a story. The Judge obviously saw this and sentenced accordingly.

20/07/2012 3:44:57 p.m.

Roscoe wrote:

How utterly disgraceful and wicked, these thugs went nuts and murdered the dogs without a single thought for their stress and suffering. The SPCA must be shattered - what kind of message is this sending to youth and those who get off on this kind of behaviour? Instead of $4,775 each to the SPCA it should have been $400,000. These men should both be in jail for their actions and never ever be permitted to own a dog again under any circumstances. Sorry but home detention is no hardship at all for Campbell who did most of the killing I challenge him to look in the mirror and see what an evil, murdering creep he is.

20/07/2012 3:33:57 p.m.

Al wrote:

With all the facts before her, the Judge in this case got things right.

20/07/2012 3:01:40 p.m.

jim fox wrote:

i agree that prison term should be imposed on the two men shooting the dog s how would they like it done to them,

20/07/2012 2:44:24 p.m.

Regal wrote:

We have a disappointing justice system.