After two years justice has finally been served for Eve.
On Friday in the Auckland Distinct Court mother of eight Paulette Taki, 41, was sentenced to prison for starving her dog in one of the worst cases of animal cruelty the SPCA had seen.
The Ridgeback cross dog who came to be known as Eve was locked under her owners home for five weeks without food or water, while she went on holiday. When the SPCA found the dog after a tip-off, on Christmas eve 2007. She was close to death, having lost half her body weight.
According to the veterinarians report she would have died within 48 hours had not been found. She had stayed alive by eating her own faeces and fleas sucked at her blood, leaving her anaemic.
Taki plead guilty to two breaches of the Animal Welfare act on Friday. She said she had asked a family member to feed the dog while she was away, but wouldn't name names.
The judge rejected the claim saying, "It seems the defendant is trying to reduce her level of responsibility, and blame someone else". He also stated in his summing up, “that there is a need for a general deterrent so that dog owners may know they have serious responsibly to look after their animals” and ordered the release of shocking photos, the taken by the SPCA.
Taki was sentenced to two months prison on both charges to be served concurrently and a further month on unrelated court charges plus $3,938.13 reparation and disqualified from owning a dog for a period of 5 years.
Outside the Auckland Distinct Court elated SPCA Inspector Vicki Border said “We’re pleased to see the court system has taken another case seriously and delivered an appropriate sentence”. With the government now reviewing animal welfare legislation, Miss Border also stated she hoped tougher penalties for crimes like this wouldn’t be far away.
The SPCA also wanted to thank David Jones QC, a member of the Pro Bono panel, who acted on behalf of the Society.
Eve is now happily living out her life with her new adopted family after a long slow rehabilitation period, but still suffers some effects from her five weeks ordeal. She shies away from strangers, can't stand loud noises, and has problems with her metabolism.
The SPCA is hopeful she will make a full recovery.
