Selwyn_Times: September 20, 2023

Selwyn Times Wednesday September 20 2023
8
NEWS
Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz
Defence force
investigating
alleged
animal abuse
at Burnham
PHOTO: JONATHAN MITCHELL /RNZ​
• By Lisa Owen
A SOLDIER is under
investigation for alleged animal
abuse, including dumping a
mistreated dog in a recycling bin.
The Defence Force has confirmed
two dogs have been surrendered
to the SPCA after they
were found in poor condition at
the Burnham Military Camp.
The SPCA confirmed the
animals were alive and receiving
good care.
The alleged abuser was an
army private. The NZDF has not
said whether the soldier was still
working, but said they were
being supported.
It refused to give specific
details about the alleged animal
abuse, including a claim from
a source that one dog had its
mouth taped shut.
Initially the NZDF only
provided information about one
animal, saying it did not sustain
any serious or long-term injury.
It eventually revealed there were
two dogs which were allegedly
mistreated, one found in the
rubbish.
Camp duty staff were alerted
to the incident amid concerns for
the individual involved, it said.
The dogs were not service
animals.
The police were notified, but
they referred the case to the
SPCA, the NZDF said.
The SPCA said it was called
in on June 25, carried out an
investigation and passed information
on to the Military Police
on August 11. It did not want to
be interviewed, saying it was a
Defence Force issue.
A disciplinary process was ongoing
but charges had not been
laid yet, the NZDF said.
Sociology professor Nik Taylor
has researched the link between
the mistreatment of animals and
other forms of violence. She said
the situation was “very concerning”.
The incident brought up
questions around the mental
health and well-being of the
perpetrator, she said. She was
also concerned for members of
the perpetrator’s family.
“Even if they’re not victims
of some form of physical abuse
themselves, them witnessing the
abuse can bring levels of trauma
for them.”
Taylor said there was “a lot”
of evidence gathered globally
over the last 40 years that
showed a link between violence
towards animals and violence
towards humans.
In the US, there was a crossreporting
model where domestic
violence agencies flagged violence
with animal abuse workers,
and vice-versa. She said this “indicates
how seriously we should
be taking this”.
Taylor said animal abuse was
not taken seriously enough in
New Zealand.
“We need some kind of
training and education for
those involved in prosecuting
animal abuse so that they realise
how important it is to take it
seriously.”
–RNZ
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