A man has been sentenced to six weeks home detention for pretending his dog was dying to obtain money.

Jarrod Mead has appeared in the Whangarei District Court for sentencing.

Mead had borrowed $400 from a woman, claiming the vet had told him his dog needed a life saving operation.

When the woman visited the property the next day she found the dog running around the back garden perfectly healthy.

Mead has a record of dishonest offending and will be forced to pay the woman back with reparation payments.