An Opotiki man features on this year's SPCA List of Shame after hiding his injured dog from the SPCA, preventing it from getting treatment and leaving it in severe pain.

The news comes as Opotiki SPCA joins others around the country in the organisation's annual appeal starting today, November 7-13.

The man in question failed to provide vet treatment for his dog, who had a fractured leg.

When the SPCA offered assistance and provided initial vet treatment, the man hid the animal until it was eventually found and taken in to the possession of an SPCA Inspector.

The dog was suffering degenerative joint disease, possible ligament rupture, ongoing chronic pain and disability. It had to be euthanised on humane grounds.

Opotiki centre manager Kathleen Young says the consequences for the man were a $1000 fine, one-year ban on owning animals, and payment of vet and court costs.

'It's not good news to feature on the List of Shame, but hopefully we can turn that around and use it as an educational tool to achieve better outcomes in the future.”

The SPCA's annual List of Shame, released ahead of the SPCA Annual Appeal Week, highlights New Zealand's shameful animal abuse track record.

It's the culmination of more than 15,000 animal welfare complaints – the very worst cases the SPCA has investigated and prosecuted this year.

The appeal aims to raise awareness of animal welfare issues and the ongoing need for education to help prevent cruelty to animals, as well as much-needed funds.

'Unfortunately, because we're a small SPCA, it's very hard to find people to go out and about to appeal,” says Kathleen.

'We really hope people donate online and choose our SPCA to donate to from the dropdown box.”

Donations for the Opotiki SPCA, or your local branch, can be made online at www.spcaannualappeal.org.nz

As for the sad story of the dog, Kathleen hopes the former owner has learnt his lesson, and implores others to learn from it too.

'There will always be another incident, but hopefully we can use this as a way of promoting best practice to people, and show them there are other options available.

'There were definitely options for him and sadly he never took the right one.”