Top puppy breeder says dogs at centre of SPCA neglect trial were well cared for

A top puppy breeder on trial for neglect says her dogs were well cared for, and were only ever tethered or confined for short periods of time.

Barbara Glover, 83, and her daughter Janine Wallace, 61, deny six counts of failing to alleviate the pain or distress of an animal, and 30 charges of failing to meet animals’ physical, health and behavioural needs.

They are facing a judge-alone trial at Manukau District Court in south Auckland.

The court has previously heard SPCA inspectors, tipped off by a member of the public in 2017, found german shepherds in cages with their own faeces and puppies living in dirty conditions at the duo’s farm in Mangatangi.

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Wallace began giving evidence in her own defence this week.

She said she and her mother were “shocked” when the SPCA turned up in July 2017.

Glover and Wallace were known as top german shepherd breeders and ran Volkerson Kennels, which was established in 1962, the court heard.

“I grew up with german shepherds all my life … this is a hobby, a sport we have been following all our life.”

During her evidence, Wallace told the court she started her day at 4am with the puppies. She would exercise them, feed them, and clean out their area.

She would then move on to the older dogs.

While sheds and areas were cleaned out, sometimes puppies and dogs would be put in confined areas but only for short periods of time, she said.

Dogs would also only be tethered temporarily, Wallace said.

Some dogs were tethered for their own safety to ensure they didn’t run free or dig their way out to a field where deer were, she said.

The kennels were cleaned out daily, often twice, but due to old concrete they didn’t always look as clean as they were, she said.

The breeder also disputed allegations dogs were exposed to ammonia, living in their own faeces, or left without fresh water.

“We were not informed beforehand that the SPCA were suddenly arriving, it’s a snapshot in time … we’re moving them, exercising them, training them, feeding them and walking them daily,” Wallace said.

Fiften dogs were seized by the SPCA in October 2017, after the pair were given multiple notices about their inadequate shelter and care.

However, “they should never, ever have been uplifted”, Wallace said on Friday.

“They should never, ever have been uplifted,” Wallace said on Friday.

“They were 1000 per cent healthy in every respect.”

The trial before Judge Karen Grau continues.