By Kim Choe
A trial is scheduled to get underway today for the two men accused of shooting dead 33 dogs in Wellsford last year.
Russell Mendoza and Tony Campbell have pleaded not guilty to multiple charges including wilful ill-treatment of an animal and reckless use of a firearm.
It was a grisly scene at Rowan Hargreaves' northern Auckland farm in January last year, after two of his neighbours allegedly shot dead 33 of his dogs.
"I just can't comprehend," Mr Hargreaves told 3 News at the time. "It's not my life anymore. I'm looking through someone else's eyes."
The two accused said they were just doing what Mr Hargreaves agreed to after one of his dogs was seen attacking Mendoza's fox terrier.
"He signed the piece of paper under no duress," says Mendoza's friend, Maree. "He was also requested if there were any particular dogs that he wanted to keep, and he simply replied, "No. They've all got to go, shoot them all."
Mr Hargreaves admitted he'd asked for the dogs to be put down, but not in such a frenzied manner - and said he wanted to see the men jailed.
"It's their action, their choice," says Mr Hargreaves. "They picked up the gun, they pulled the trigger. They did these actions, end of story. Their choice. They live by their choices. I live by mine.
"I let my dogs die, but I expect it to be done humanely."
The massacre shocked the Wellsford community and the SPCA, who said the dogs were healthy and well-looked after.
"I'm sad for Mr Hargreaves, and angry that someone could do this to someone else's animals," says neighbour Moana Prictor.
"He shouted at the shooters, 'Do it properly! Do it properly! Let them out,'" says the SPCA's Vicki Border.
"The shooters ignored his plea. One of the injured dogs went to bite the nose of the rifle. The shooter blew its head off."
Campbell and Mendoza have chosen to be tried by a jury.
3 News