Furry friends’ mouth-watering taster

Drooling dogs and lolling tongues were a common sight at a foodtasting event put on for canines at Four Square Awapuni in Palmerston North.

Dogs can often be seen visiting the Four Square, but Saturday was a special day for the dogs visiting the store, as they were pampered with food and cuddles by Four Square staff.

More than three dozen pet parents, along with their furry babies, turned up for the unique food tasting session for dogs.

Dogs and their owners came from as far as Aokautere and Feilding.

Awapuni resident Marina Canterbury brought her dog Tilly to the event and she said it was awesome to see something for animals.

‘‘[Tilly] loved the food. I have never been to a place that has something like this for pets. It is such a great idea. It is [all about] touching the hearts of the community and we know animals are the heart of the community.’’

Lexi, whose surname was not provided, came from Feilding with her bulldogs and said it was worth the drive, as her dogs liked all the flavours.

Four Square owners Vijay and Margaret Patel said they wanted to do something different and do something the community cared for.

‘‘I always felt that it is always a responsibility of the businesses to care for not just the people that own part of the business, but all the different communities in which we operate,’’ Vijay said.

‘‘In the business context and life in general, it is all about people and the community.’’

The attendees also got a photo op sharing their woofs and growls in front of the camera.

Eleven people have been arrested for a range of offences, including drug dealing and unlawful possession of firearms, after Palmerston North police’s Organised Crime Unit executed a ‘‘number’’ of search warrants.

A police spokesperson said the investigation, which began in April, focussed on dishonesty offending and the sale and supply of methamphetamine.

Nine men and two women were arrested and charged with offences that included burglary and receiving burgled items, unlawful possession of firearms and restricted weapons, and the supply and sale of methamphetamine and GHB or a fantasy substance after the execution of search warrants on May 23, they said.

Three firearms, ammunition, a taser, cash, methamphetamine and GHB were also recovered.

One person was also charged with receiving a rare Mitsubishi Evo motor vehicle, valued at $60,000, which was recovered from a Palmerston North address.

Detective Senior Sergeant Karen Heald said the vehicle had been stolen from a garage on Wellesbourne St in Palmerston North on May 8.

‘‘Removing drugs and illegal firearms from the community is a priority and targeting of organised criminal groups and the disruption of these groups will continue,’’ Heald said.

Eight of the people have been remanded in custody and were due to reappear on June 20 and July 4 at the Palmerston North District Court.