‘Puppy set alight’

Press, 4 March 1988, Page 9

‘Puppy set alight’

PA Auckland [ An eight-week old pup was doused with petrol and set alight, the District Court at Henderson was told yesterday. 1

Appearing on a| joint charge of aggravated [ cruelty to a dog! were Glen James Sharp! aged 17, and George Green, j aged 18, both of ! whom[ denied the charge,[which' related to October 4,1 1987. [ The case was adjourned until today after [Judge Graham spent more than two hours in chambers hearing legal argument Over the admissibility of [certain evidence. | Earlier in Court a neighbour of Sharp, Mrs [Jennifer Roderick, said She heard a puppy yelping [at his house on October 4. [Soon after she saw Green [swinging the animal by its *neck, and one defendant [suggested stuffing it into a [letter box.

■Mrs . Roderick said the pair set fire to the puppy and left it screaming and writhing in agony. Her husband rescued the animal while the police and S.P.C.A. were called.

[ The terrier-cross puppy, Pixie, was put dowm two weeks after the incident because its injuries were not healing. [ Mrs Roderick said that a[ week later Green apher and apoiofor his behaviour, which he described as the lowest to which humans could stoop. [ He had said Sharp and tie deserved whatever punishment they got for their actions, Mrs Roderick said. [ A S.P.C.A. inspector, a policeman and Mrs Roderick’s husband also gave evidence. [ Two more police witnesses are expected to be called today.