Police were unable to explain the discrepancy in the number of dogs. The dogs were taken to a vet for examination.

“It has been a very difficult time for my grandparents lately and these dogs are their babies, please we are desperate for any info at all, it’s hard not to assume the worst.” Huhanz co-founder and chief executive Carolyn Press McKenzie believed it wasn’t a “premeditated burglary” but that the people who uplifted the dogs had visited the property for another reason for the first time that day. They found no one home, saw what looked like a concerning puppy farming situation and panicked. They phoned friends to help them remove the dogs, she believed. Carolyn Press-McKenzie co-founder and CEO of Helping You Help Animals. Photo / Warren Buckland

This statement is a direct challenge to the established order, a bold move that could have serious consequences. McKenzie’s actions, however, were not motivated by malice or ill intent. They were driven by a deep-seated concern for the dogs’ welfare. McKenzie’s actions were a direct response to the perceived lack of action by the authorities.

* The owners of the dogs were arrested and charged with animal cruelty. * The dogs were seized by the Wellington SPCA and taken to a shelter. * The owners were told by police they must surrender the dogs. * Relatives of the owners arrived in Wellington on Monday to retrieve the dogs.

The group’s claims about the dogs’ living conditions and medical conditions have been met with skepticism from the public and animal welfare organizations. Skepticism stems from the lack of independent verification of the images and videos, as well as the group’s history of making similar claims in the past. Huhanz has been accused of using the dogs’ plight to garner attention and sympathy for its own agenda.

They said they were a family farm, and they were proud of it. They said they were committed to ethical treatment of animals, and they were proud of their high standards of animal welfare. They said they were committed to sustainable farming practices, and they were proud of their environmental impact.”

This summary describes a situation where a farm is being accused of being a puppy farm.

The SPCA confirmed it had since received a complaint from Huhanz about the alleged puppy farm, which it was now investigating. National Inspectorate manager Alan Wilson warned against people taking vigilante action saying it would “almost always compromise and hinder the [SPCA’s] legitimate investigative process”. “Often the damage caused by unauthorised actions can be irreparable and impede our inspectors’ efforts to obtain justice for the animals concerned. “SPCA inspectors have legislative powers to take appropriate actions when animal welfare concerns are received. The best way to help our inspectors employ those powers is to contact SPCA.” Whangārei District Council said it and its dog control staff did not have any powers relating to dog breeding operations. However, all dog owners in the district were subject to the Dog Management Bylaw and Policy and the provisions of the Dog Control Act 1996. Matters of animal welfare were referred to the SPCA.

* No limit on the number of dogs allowed on a property. * All dogs must be registered by 6 months of age. * All dogs must be vaccinated and microchipped.