Team Chopper - Help save Choppers life

After an incident where Chopper bit a veterinarian, Chopper was thrown into Death Row where he would spend 271 at Tauranga Dog Pound. Locked in a small cage with no exercise and no human interaction from pound staff. Chopper was made to go toilet where he slept only to have the cage blasted with a hose while he was in there to clean it.

After 271 days of being locked up, this case finally went to court where a judge dismissed all charges. Chopper was put into physical rehab, training in order to overcome trauma he experienced, and had a visit to an amazing vet for multiple issues he faced - all as a result of his treatment in the pound.

We thought Chopper was free and we could move on with our lives.

Tauranga Council, with support from the NZ Veterinary Association want to pursue criminal charges for Chopper's mum - three years jail or $20,000 fine. Around $100,000 of rate payer's money, and a 20 minute appeal hearing later, a judge overturned the initial ruling which once again puts Chopper's life on the line and his mum up for criminal charges.

Yes, a dog biting another person is a serious issue, but a vet's negligent approach to a dog in what is a stressful environment for many animals, should not result in what both Chopper and his family have endured. Vet clinics should be a safe place for both animals, owners, and veterinarians.

This decision to put blame on an owner now puts all animals at risk when visiting a vet clinic. This could be anyone's dog in Chopper's situation.