Woman sentenced for ill-treatment of pregnant dog in South Auckland
Tuesday 6 October 2026 · 3 outlets · 3 reports · updated In this story SPCA
An Auckland woman has been sentenced to 40 hours of community work and eight months of supervision after being convicted of ill-treating her pregnant dog. The attack occurred in Wiri in October 2024 and was captured by a witness. The dog, Medusa, is now in the care of the SPCA.
Key facts
4 facts
- Sentence: 40 hours community work, 8 months supervision, 2-year dog ownership ban, $1040 reparations
- Location: Wiri, Auckland
- Date of incident: October 2024
- Court: Manukau District Court
The full story
1 min read · 3 outlets
A woman has been sentenced in the Manukau District Court following a five-minute attack on her pregnant dog, Medusa, in October 2024. The defendant was convicted of ill-treatment and received 40 hours of community work, eight months of supervision, a two-year disqualification from owning dogs, and an order to pay $1040 in reparations.
The assault occurred in Wiri after a member of the public saw Medusa roaming from a property. When the woman attempted to call the dog back, Medusa ran between a house and a fence, prompting the woman to chase and drag the dog by her collar. During the attack, the woman hit the dog in the face and neck with closed fists while shouting, “That’s what you get for not listening”.
A veterinary examination found that Medusa was pregnant and suffering from neck pain and 'learned helplessness'. SPCA chief executive Todd Westwood described the attack as “sickening”. The woman initially denied responsibility but admitted to the attack after being shown video footage and screenshots.
Medusa later gave birth to puppies at the SPCA centre, all of whom have been adopted. While in centre care, Medusa became a favourite among staff and volunteers. She currently remains in the care of a foster carer.
Where reports differ
- Reports differ on how long the dog had been pregnant, with one stating three weeks and another stating three months.
Compiled from reports by Stuff, 1News and NZ Herald.
