Happier life beckons for cruelly abused dogs | Wairarapa News | Local News in Wairarapa

THERE was a happy ending on Sunday for six dogs that were involved in one of the country's worst-ever animal abuse cases.

The SPCA became involved after 21 cats and 23 dogs were removed from what a High Court judge called "an animal concentration camp" in Taranaki.

The court was told the cats were diseased, their litter trays floating in urine, while the dogs' coats were matted with faeces, most had infections and some were blind.

The dogs were dispersed around regional SPCAs, with six, four Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and two Cocker Spaniels, coming to Masterton.

After being held at the Wairarapa SPCA while their health was stabilised, the dogs went to carefully-selected foster homes where, with lots of tender loving care, they were restored to full health.

One of the cockers, Keegan, had to have a canine "face lift" to cure vision and hearing problems. A vet cut away a 50mm-wide strip across his scalp and drew the two sides together, a relatively simple operation that ageing film stars pay a fortune for.

The other cocker, Lucas, is awaiting the same procedure.

The dogs all came together at the SPCA on Sunday for a doggy reunion and formal adoption by their new owners.

SPCA president Val Ball said it was a very satisfying end to a long and expensive process, the whole exercise costing the local branch around $4000.