Jailbreak pitbull at large

HEATHER MCCRACKEN | Monday, August 23, 2010 11:42

BREAKOUT: The offenders climbed through the roof into a poodle's cage and cut their way out before going on to free the pitbull.

Police and animal control officers are still hunting for a pitbull taken from the Hastings pound in a brazen raid last week.

Two men broke into the pound on Thursday night and cut the dog from its cage. The unregistered pitbull had been impounded after attacking a labrador on Heretaunga St on Tuesday.

Today a spokeswoman for Hastings District Council said they still hadn't located the dog.

No information was passed to police or through the Crimestoppers phoneline, despite a public appeal.

It was the second time a dog had been broken out of the pound this year. Security was beefed up following the first incident and after increases in fines for impounded dogs.

Council staff said the two men broke through the roof of the Henderson Rd pound at 11.30pm on Thursday, setting off a security alarm and causing $2100 damage. They climbed down into a poodle's cage and cut their way out with boltcutters before finding and freeing the pitbull.

A council dog control officer responded to the alarm, but the offenders had already fled.

The pound was temporarily secured after the breakout and permanent repairs are under way today.