Wellington Police spend weekend excavating grave, where remains of large dog found

Police and forensic staff have spent the weekend digging up an unmarked grave at the Karori Cemetery, where the remains of a dog was found this afternoon.

Detective Senior Sergeant Donna Howard says Police received a phone call from Karori Cemetery staff on Friday afternoon, after a staff member found an unmarked grave beyond the cemetery tree line in bush, about 10 metres from marked graves.

"An investigation began in order to confirm it was a grave and what it contained.
Police staff and forensic scientists began excavating the grave on Friday night. This was completed around 5-30pm this evening."

Donna Howard says, "the grave contained a large dog. It's unfortunate, given it was such a busy weekend, that a significant amount of Police time and resource went into the investigation, but Police were left with no option but to complete it thoroughly.

She says Police will be making inquiries to identify the dog's owners.

Wellington City Council Cemeteries Manager Jeff Paris says this illegal burial caused a large amount of time and resources to be wasted over the weekend.

"If anyone has an animal that needs to be put down and they cannot afford to see a vet, they should call the SPCA in the first instance for advice, rather than taking matters into their own hands."

Police want to hear from anyone who may have any information as to how the dog came to be buried in the Karori Cemetery.