Stab vest for SPCA

The Auckland SPCA is issuing inspectors with stab-proof vests to protect them from angry animal owners.

General manager David Lloyd-Barker said he was taking the "purely commonsense" step after cases of assault and threatening behaviour.

While none of his inspectors had been stabbed, some had been pushed. He felt it was a small step to someone picking up a bottle or knife."I don't want to go to any funerals," he said.

Lloyd-Barker, who worked for London's Metropolitan police and British special forces, said many of the problem visits were to south Auckland homes with gang links and usually involved dogs.

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