A south Auckland woman has been convicted of mistreating an animal after her dog's throat was cut by being tethered to a kennel by a cheap, tight collar.
The SPCA in Auckland says Maria Matthews, 30, was sentenced to four months community detention, disqualified from owning animals for 10 years and ordered to pay reparation of $500.
The organisation says Ms Matthews bought a $2 puppy collar for her Staffordshire-cross, called Gurly, and as the puppy grew the collar became increasingly tight to the point that it created a deep wound.
Chief executive Christine Kalin says the dog's protracted pain and suffering could have been easily prevented by simply replacing the collar with a larger one.
Ms Kalin says the dog has made a good recovery and has been rehomed.
