Abused pup marks one year at SPCA

he Wellington SPCA is marking a bittersweet occasion today as it throws a party for a dog who has been at the shelter for a year.

Paddy, a Labrador cross, was seized by one of Wellington SPCA's Animal Welfare Inspectors as a four-month-old puppy after neighbours saw him being punched and beaten by his owner.

The owner pled not guilty to ill-treating him and it was seven months before she was found guilty by the courts. Paddy was then awarded to Wellington SPCA to re-home.

In the past 12 months Paddy has had a couple of trials in homes, but his ability to leap fences has led to him being reluctantly returned.MORE>>