Provided
Bruce Fuller and his French bulldog, Cash, who was allegedly killed by someone on the street.
Police have dropped charges against a 75-year-old man accused of killing a dog on a street in suburban New Plymouth.
Bruce Fuller’s French Bulldog, known as Cash, was found dead in Spotswood with a plastic bag over his head on the afternoon of Friday April 29.
Fuller said a witness reported seeing a man kneeling on the dog’s neck.
Police made an arrest and a man appeared in New Plymouth District Court earlier this month.
READ MORE:
* New Plymouth dog owner says he’s found the man who ‘killed’ his French bulldog
* ‘It’s awful’: Dog allegedly killed by man in New Plymouth Street
* Man charged after violent confrontation, accused of injuring a police dog with a skateboard
He pleaded not guilty to an animal cruelty charge and had his name cleared and was released on bail to reappear in court on June 1.
But this week, the police confirmed that the prosecution would not go further.
A spokesperson said: ‘We recognize this has been distressing for the owner of the dog.
“Unfortunately, a review of the evidence, as required by the Solicitor General’s Prosecuting Guidelines, concluded that the standard of proof was not met for the charge before the Court and the charge was withdrawn. .”
In a statement released Thursday, Taranaki Area Commander Inspector Belinda Dewar said Fuller was not told the charge had been withdrawn until it was made public.
“It was unfortunate. The police met him last night [Wednesday] and apologized.”
Fuller said police also ordered her not to go to the man’s home.
