Fee fury sparks gang threats | Hawkes Bay News | Local News in Hawkes Bay

A Mongrel Mob member has been convicted after threatening to set his "prospect boys" on to a Hastings District Council animal control officer who seized his dog.

Ronnie Sydney Wharepapa, 39, pleaded guilty in Hastings District Court this week to charges of disorderly behaviour and two counts of threatening behaviour after the incident at the council's pound in Flaxmere.

Court summaries showed he entered the pound on August 2 with his two children and partner to demand staff return his dog, which was seized when found running loose earlier that day.

After being told there was a fee payable, Wharepapa became more aggressive. "I'm going to get my prospect boys to break in and get my f***** dog back, then they'll sort you out and your other dog boys out".

His lawyer, James Ranger, told the court his client became angered at the inconvenience of having the family "puppy" taken away.

Judge Bridget Mackintosh sentenced him to 80 hours' community work. "Civilised people don't conduct themselves in that way," she said.