The family of convicted Dunedin dog killer Jeffrey Hurring say they are being punished for his crime, as they face a wave of threats and abuse on the street and via the internet.
Robin and Jennette Hurring yesterday told the Otago Daily Times they had been spat at, abused and insulted since their son was sentenced for animal cruelty in June.
Their son had also received anonymous death threats posted to him in prison in Christchurch, and the family were aware of a flood of vitriolic and threatening comments posted on social networking websites.
"People point the finger, they spit at you, they call you names.
"It was our son that did it, but we are getting all the [abuse]," Mrs Hurring (54) said.
Hurring was sentenced to 12 months' jail - the longest sentence for animal cruelty in New Zealand history - after admitting killing an 18-month-old Jack Russell, named Diesel, by strangling it, hitting it with a spade and making it drink petrol.
Since then, more than 100 messages attacking Hurring for his crime had appeared on a Bebo page called "Jeffrey Hurring the Dog Killer".
Many messages were too graphic or profane to print, with many from teenagers - including girls aged 15 and under.
Most expressed hatred for Hurring and many threatened violent retribution upon his release.
The Bebo page also featured a photograph of Hurring, with crudely-added drawings of a petrol can, spade and pillow case, as well as injuries.
Similarly abusive messages were posted on the Kiwiblog and TV3 news websites.
Yesterday, Mr Hurring (50) said his son was "not doing very well" and there were fears for his safety when he was released.
"There's always some nasty people out there.
"He's got a hard row to hoe when he gets out.
"There's . . . a lot of people that don't approve of what he's done."
"The attack was out of character for their son and due to "the alcohol more than anything".
"He could understand people's anger and said, "I didn't agree with what he's done".
However, "he wouldn't do it again.
"It's one of those mistakes you make in life."
SPCA inspector Stephanie Saunders, who investigated the case, urged those upset at the incident to cope with their anger in more constructive ways.
"Revenge doesn't solve it."
Netsafe executive director Martin Cocker said it was common for people to "vent their displeasure" online following high-profile cases, but those posting threatening messages risked prosecution.
"It's no different online than it is offline.
"If it's breaking the law to do something, it's also breaking the law to do it over the computer."
Dunedin police said, when contacted yesterday, no complaints relating to the messages had been received.
