The four year funding commitment to the RNZSPCA of 1.2 million announced in the Budget is part of MAF Animal Welfare Compliance and Enforcement planning and will enable the SPCA to better coordinate their inspectorate activities with MAF to provide more comprehensive animal welfare outcomes

Sentence reinforces need for tougher legislation

The SPCA also describes the sentence as reinforcing the case for the tougher legislation on animal cruelty currently before Parliament.

The Gisborne District Court this afternoon sentenced Te Ahu Mankelow to five terms of imprisonment of seven months each, to be served concurrently. The court also banned Mankelow from owning animals for ten years and ordered confiscation of collars and chains.

“We are disappointed that Mankelow has not been given a considerably tougher sentence for the horrendous offences he committed against five very young kittens,” says Robyn Kippenberger, National Chief Executive of the Royal New Zealand SPCA.