Press Release from the New Zealand Kennel Club
24 March 2005
Sentencing of Joseph Rewha
The New Zealand Kennel Club congratulates the SPCA on the successful prosecution of Joseph Rewha for wilfully
ill-treating his dog,Tipa. The dog suffered horrific injuries when he was dragged behind Rewha’s car last year. Rewha
was sentenced to a nine month jail term, the longest term ever given under the Animal Welfare Act.
“Fortunately animal cruelty does not surface very often in New Zealand. However the tough sentence imposed in this case
is recognising that responsible dog ownership is taken very seriously in New Zealand. It’s heartening to see that such
ill treatment of a dog will not be tolerated in our society. The sentencing in this case clearly communicates that New
Zealanders have a deep concern for the way in which we treat our dogs. Once again the message is – Responsibility and
commitment must go hand in hand with pet ownership,” says Ray Greer President of the New Zealand Kennel Club.
The severity of this sentence will hopefully act as a strong deterrent to people who might treat any animal in a cruel
and inhumane way.
ENDS