A man has been convicted for throwing a rock at a dog's head, injuring the animal so severely that it had to be put down.
Fox terriers (file) Photo: Wikimedia Commons
The Waikanae man was found guilty of recklessly ill-treating an animal when he threw a rock at an elderly fox-terrier cross.
The man was disturbed by the dog getting into his rubbish bags early in the morning, triggering the outside sensor lights.
The dog sustained multiple fractures to its skull and extensive bleeding.
It was taken to an after-hours vet and euthanised.
The offender was sentenced to nine months' supervision and ordered to complete an anger management course.
He has been disqualified from owning an animal for five years and must pay $1600 in costs and fines.