May 15, 2013

Animal cruelty offences alleged

By Anne Clarkson at Nga Hau e Wha marae. A North Canterbury man has appeared in court on three charges of cruelty to animals after allegations that he used a weapon to load pigs for transport, and bludgeoned 13 chickens to death with an iron bar.

Police say that on April 8 Clayton Thomas Dovey, 49,?was seen by a member of the public abusing two pigs, and when the SPCA went to his address he became unco-operative and abusive.

He was charged with an animal welfare offence and possession of a knife found in his car, and today he faced charges of hitting a young sow and a young boar in a manner that caused the animals to suffer pain or distress that was inflicted unreasonably or unnecessarily.

On May 7, police allege Dovey breached a protection order by psychological abuse of the protected person by bludgeoning 13 chickens to death.

In the Rangiora District Court session at Nga Hau e Wha marae in Aranui today, he appeared on a total of seven charges: unlawful possession of a firearm, possession of an offensive weapon, three charges of ill treating animals, an animal welfare offence, and breach of a protection order. He has entered no pleas.

Defence counsel Keith Hales asked for a remand to look at the ?vast amounts of police disclosure?.

Judge Tony Zohrab remanded Dovey on bail to appear in court again on May 29.