A TERRANORA man is angry after his dog was baited and had to be put down.

Two weeks ago Duncan Goulden took Jake, his 10-year-old pet jack russell, to the vet after he suddenly became unwell.

“He was with the vet all last week,” Mr Goulden said.

“It took a long time for the poison that was used to get into his system.”

He said he did not understand why anyone would target his jack russell.

“Some of them might be yappy, but he wasn't yappy.

"The only thing he barked at was the cat next door,” he said.

"He got baited 20 months ago; he pulled through that.”

Mr Goulden said he reported the matter to the RSPCA and the police.

“They said, ‘we can't do anything because you didn't see anybody do anything'.

"We're basically up against a brick wall.”

Tweed Heads police crime manager Shane Diehm said dog baiting was illegal.

“We are aware of it and are investigating it and encourage anyone with knowledge of this or a similar matter to get in touch with the police,” he said.

An RSPCA spokeswoman said the law dealt harshly with anyone caught baiting and harming animals.

“The penalties for baiting are similar to that of aggravated cruelty: up to $22,000 in fines and up to two years imprisonment,” she said.

Anyone with any leads or information about this incident should contact Crime Stoppers or call the RSPCA on 1300 CRUELTY (NSW only).