SPCA officer facing prob

An SPCA inspector under investigation for alleged cruelty to animals says the "spurious" accusations are part of a smear campaign to discredit him before a major court case.

High-profile inspector Jim Boyd is known as a national "troubleshooter" who has successfully prosecuted 200 cases.

He once spent five years cracking a dog-fighting ring and was last year awarded the SPCA gold star for outstanding contribution to animal welfare.

But the Ministry of Agriculture and Fishing has hired private investigators to question alleged breaches of the Animal Welfare Act, including accusations he shot the muzzle off a horse and let it run around a paddock for 20 minutes, and unnecessary euthanasia of animals.

MORE>>