Torturer of cats gaoled

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34138, 27 April 1976, Page 3

Torturer of cats gaoled

(N.Z. Press Association) AUCKLAND, April 26. A man who laughed after killing a cat by fore- I ing petrol down its throat was sentenced to a total ’ of one month’s imprisonment when he appeared in the Otahubu Magistrate’s Court today. Arthur Atutahi, an unemployed freezing worker, faced two charges of aggravated cruelty to animals. He had earlier pleaded guiltv to both charges. The police said Atutahi killed one cat on March 3 by putting a length of petrol-filled garden hose in its mouth and blowing petrol into its stomach until it died.

Neighbours called the police when they saw him doing the same thing to another cat — which survived. Counsel for Atutahi, Mr D. McQuinlan, suggested that some form of psychiatric incarceration would be suitable as the defendant appeared rather callous about the incidents. Mr B. O. Nicholson. S.M., in sentencing Atutahi, said the offences were particularly horrible in that after forcing petrol down the cats’ throats, Atutahi then derived some enjoyment of watching the sufferings. Although Atutahi did not experience i normal sympathy for young animals, he must have realised that such behaviour was not suitable in the community.

Seafood theft.— Burglars with a taste for seafood stole more than $l5OO worth of shellfish from a Hamilton fish shop during the weekend. The food included scallops, shrimps and oysters. —(P.A.)