The Mad Dog Gang Meets Rotten Fred and Ratsguts (TV movie)

Television (Full Length) – 1978

I got him on board with a TV series I was working on: The Mad Dog Gang Meets Rotten Fred and Ratsguts. It was Arthur who came up with two new and important characters: a ewe named Mrs Woolworth and her lamb, Gladwrap. The name comes from the city kids seeing the birth and their awe at the shiny coat the lamb arrives in.
– Writer Ian Mune on Arthur Baysting's input into the second Mad Dog instalment, The Mad Dog Gang Spooks Wilkie, Wink Wink and the Wobbler, Audioculture, 30 September 2019

Us three and no one else swear never to tell our secrets even under torture, to always help other members of the gang, no matter what...
– Suey, Tony and Harvey take their first oath as members of The Mad Dog Gang

Scaredy cat, scaredy cat, townie kids don't know how to ride a horse, 'cause they're too scared.
– Harvey (Buddy Ruruku) taunts city kids Suey and Tony

I feel like the horse has been riding me.
– Tony (Ian Templeton) feels sore after his first day learning to ride a horse

You must be Sue and Tony. Well I'm Mr Newman. I have been called Pooman, but don't let me hear you say it.
– Local teacher Mr Newman (Don Donner) introduces himself to Suey ( Julie Wilson) and Tony ( Ian Templeton)

Sir, it's Rotten Fred, he eats possums raw!
– Pickle (David Kennelly) thinks he knows all about Rotten Fred (Walt Brown)

Twenty-one animals, and Ratsguts is going to be number twenty-two!
– Wilkie (John Bach) threatens to kill Fred's dog

If I catch him on my property I'll put a bullet through him!
– Grumpy farmer Wilkie (John Bach) threatens trouble if he sees Rotten Fred on his farm

I've always left them alone. I've never done any harm. I'm not running away now.
– Fred (Walt Brown) refuses to be moved on by Wilkie and his group of angry farmers

If you want to see inside people's houses, knock on the door.
– Fred (Walt Brown) provides some strong advice to the Mad Dog Gang

Tony, Harvey, look! Ratsguts is my friend!
– Suey (Julie Wilson) makes a breakthrough after talking to Fred and meeting his notorious dog

Why do I always have to do the dumb jobs?
– Suey (Julie Wilson) asks a pertinent question

The find of the year was a delightful children's drama out of TV One's Dunedin studios and from the pen of Ian Mune. The Mad Dog Gang Meets Rotten Fred and Ratsguts was a fast-moving, appealing adventure story about three children which Enid Blyton's Famous Five would have appreciated. The Feltex judges certainly did.
– Author Robert Boyd-Bell in his 1985 book New Zealand Television - The First 25 Years, page 169