Dog Is Good Food

(Auckland, New Zealand) According to New Zealand's Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), a local man, Paea Taufa, escapes charges stemming from barbecuing his pet pitbull-terrier because the animal was killed humanely.

The dog had been skinned and gutted and was partially charred when SPCA inspectors arrived.

Taufa says he was surprised when the inspectors arrived because dog is a delicacy in Tonga.

"I didn't know I couldn't cook the dog. In Tonga, any time there I cook the dog and it is OK. Dog is good food."

He had decided to cook the dog because it was too skinny and had become unmanageable. He rendered the dog unconscious with a blow to the head before slitting its throat, which is regarded as humane.

Under the Animal Welfare Act it is legal to kill a dog in New Zealand if the animal is slaughtered swiftly and painlessly.

Nevertheless, some animal lovers are troubled.