Cases scheduled for court hearings in January 2024
A couple in their 40s is due at the Christies Beach Magistrates Court to face two counts of ill-treatment of an animal in relation to two dogs, found in emaciated condition. Both dogs were surrendered to RSPCA SA inspectors and have been rehomed. Their adult teenage son is a co-accused in relation to the care of one of the dogs. The couple is also accused of breaching a 12-month suspended sentence bond ordered in October 2021, after they were convicted for failing to provide sufficient food to two other dogs in their care that were also found in emaciated condition in 2020. Those two dogs were also rehomed. Part of the 2021 sentence was a court order prohibiting them from acquiring or having custody of any animals until further order, which they are now accused of breaching.
A 52-year-old man from Adelaide’s northern suburbs is due to appear in the Elizabeth Magistrates Court on two charges of ill-treatment of an animal in relation to two dogs, one of which was in need of urgent veterinary treatment. The defendant is facing further ill-treatment charges in relation to two cats and a pig.
A 28-year-old woman has been arrested under warrant and is bailed to appear in the Elizabeth Magistrates Court in relation to a severely emaciated Siberian husky seized from a northern suburbs property by an RSPCA SA inspector in October 2019. The husky’s weight improved by 67% in the seven weeks post seizure.
A 53-year-old man from the northern suburbs is due to face the Elizabeth Magistrate Court charged with failure to take reasonable steps to mitigate harm. The defendant is charged with failing to obtain veterinary treatment for his cat, which was found suffering a tumour in its right eye that caused the eye globe to rupture.
A 31-year-old woman from the north-eastern suburbs will face the Elizabeth Magistrates Court charged with ill-treatment of a puppy and a cat. Both animals were found in an emaciated state.
A 58-year-old man from the Murraylands region is due to face the Elizabeth Magistrates Court on nine counts of ill-treatment of an animal in relation to nine dogs, all found in emaciated condition and suffering severe and chronic skin conditions. The defendant is charged with failing to mitigate harm suffered by the animals, two of which were humanely euthanased due to multiple health issues.
A 48-year-old woman is due to face the Elizabeth Magistrates Court charged with failure to comply with a court order restricting the number of animals she is allowed to have in her care or custody. RSPCA SA inspectors attended at the woman’s Lewiston property on 17 October 2023 and seized 86 dogs and puppies, three rabbits and two guinea pigs. In August 2023, the woman was convicted on animal ill-treatment charges in relation to a Parrakie dog breeding facility that had more than 300 dogs and puppies. She received a three-month prison term, suspended on condition of a $500, three-year good behaviour bond.
A 39-year-old woman from the western suburbs is due to face the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court on two counts of animal ill treatment in relation to four dogs in the defendant’s care. All of the dogs were found in an emaciated state with one of them recently deceased at the property. The three surviving dogs were rehabilitated in RSPCA’s care and rehomed.
A 60-year-old man from the southern suburbs will face the Christies Beach Magistrates Court charged with ill-treatment of an animal to cause death or serious harm. The charge relates to a male Boxer dog found with a large, ulcerated tumour protruding from his sternum. Due to the dog’s extremely poor condition and prognosis, he was humanely euthanased after seizure.
Under SA’s Animal Welfare Act, the maximum penalty for animal cruelty is $20,000 or two years’ imprisonment. For an aggravated cruelty offence, the maximum penalty is $50,000 or four years’ imprisonment.
RSPCA South Australia is the state’s only animal welfare charity with inspectors empowered to prosecute animal cruelty under SA’s Animal Welfare Act.
Members of the public who witness animal cruelty or neglect are urged to immediately call RSPCA’s 24-hour cruelty report hotline on 1300 477 722.
