Woman stitched lamb’s neck back together with 27 staples, failed to treat two dogs
A woman in New Zealand has been sentenced for failing to provide proper veterinary care to her animals, including performing amateur surgery on a lamb and neglecting a sick dog. The case highlights ongoing issues with animal welfare and the legal consequences of improper treatment.
Why it matters
It underscores the legal standards for animal welfare and the role of SPCA enforcement in preventing animal cruelty.
A Hamilton woman stitched a lamb's neck back together with 27 staples. However, the wound then became infected. Image / 123rf
*This story contains details that may upset some readers
A woman with a history of SPCA complaints stitched a lamb’s neck back together with 27 staples after claiming it got its head stuck in a wire fence.
The woman, who was granted permanent name suppression in the Hamilton District Court on Tuesday, also decided to treat her 6-month-old dog that was suffering renal failure and liver disease, at home.
She refused pain relief and euthanasia as suggested by two vets. Days later SPCA staff dug up the dog’s remains and discovered it hadn’t been humanely put down.
A month later, Waikato District Council animal welfare officers were back at the woman’s rural Hamilton property, inspecting a dog with an obvious injury to its front right leg.
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