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Whangarei man James Karanga pleaded guilty to animal cruelty charges but thinks he did nothing wrong.

No remorse for beating dog

Reprinted with permission from The Northern Advocate
by Imran Ali

A Whangarei man has been banned from owning an animal for five years after he abused and attacked a tied-up dog.

James Karanga, 54, was sentenced in Whangarei District Court on September 10 after earlier admitting ill-treating a dog.

Judge Keith de Ridder disqualified Karanga from owning or exercising control over animals for five years. He also sentenced Karanga to 200 hours' community work and ordered him to pay $800 to the SPCA.

The SPCA had sought $3400 but Karanga had financial difficulties, the court was told.

Judge de Ridder said Karanga had been described as a private, hardworking and reliable person. It was difficult to understand his actions towards an animal that could not defend itself, Judge de Ridder said.

Karanga had picked up the dog by its lead and swung it into a fence. He had tied the dog to a tree before kicking and punching the animal five to 10 times.

He also swore and yelled at it. He left the dog alone for five minutes but returned and punched and kicked it four times. A witness called police and the SPCA.

Karanga had admitted ill-treating the dog but said there was nothing wrong in doing it. The animal was left swollen and bruised. It was treated with pain relief and anti-inflammatory medication.

Defence lawyer Nick Leader asked Judge de Ridder to adopt the pre-sentence report's recommendation for community work.

He said Karanga pleaded guilty, had no previous convictions for ill-treatment of animals and was no longer in full-time employment

Mr Leader said alcohol was not an issue and, although his client has health problems, he could comply with community work. He said Karanga took over the dog from a whanau member but could not look after it.

SPCA Whangarei manager Francine Shields welcomed the substantial community work sentence imposed on Karanga although she was disappointed with the fine.

She said a new home would be found for the dog, which has been in the care of the SPCA.