The three puppies taken into police care. Photo: Supplied / Police
Three puppies have been taken to a shelter after a man threatened to seriously harm them and was seen hitting them.
A member of the public contacted police on Sunday evening about a man making threatening to seriously harm the puppies near Parnell Train Station.
"Camera operators tracking the incident on CCTV reportedly saw the man put the puppies into a bag and punch them," said acting Auckland Central Area prevention manager Senior Sergeant Dave Plunkett.
The 44-year-old man was arrested on Cheshire Street has been charged with ill-treatment under the Animal Welfare Act.
"It's senseless why someone would want to bring harm upon these young pups," Plunkett said.
"I'd like to acknowledge those members of the public who called Police immediately, allowing us to prevent further harm."
Photo: Supplied / Police
The puppies, believed to be four to six months old and Staffordshire Bull Terriers, are now in the care of an Auckland Council animal management shelter.
Regional shelter manager Nikki Cripps said this type of thing happened far too often.
"These puppies didn't ask to be born, and they certainly didn't deserve to end up in danger.
"If people would simply desex their dogs, we wouldn't see this endless cycle of unwanted litters and needless suffering."
People who cannot register, desex, microchip and give a dog proper care should not own one, she said.
The puppies will undergo a temperament test typically conducted on day four to assess rehoming suitability but Cripps said their future was also limited by the shelter's need to keep kennels available for incoming dogs.
The man is due to appear in the Auckland District Court.
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