Animal cruelty

You can report animal cruelty to the SPCA or New Zealand Police.

Report animal cruelty

Call SPCA on 0800 7722 69 if you have concerns that an animal is being neglected or treated with cruelty.

After hours emergency (5pm to 9am)

Call New Zealand Police on 111.

Immediate danger

Call NZ Police on 111 if you believe an animal's life is in immediate danger and the situation involves a criminal offence.

Criminal offence

Under the Section 28 of the Animal Welfare Act 1999, it is a crime to inflict cruelty on an animal.

If someone is found guilty of cruelty to an animal, they can be:

  • jailed for up to 5 years

  • fined up to $100,000.

Read the Animal Welfare Act in full