A 41-year-old man from Kingscote pleaded guilty in the Christies Beach Magistrates Court yesterday to two charges of ill-treatment of an animal. The charges were in relation to two dogs found in emaciated condition at the defendant’s home in February this year.
An RSPCA SA inspector attended at the property on 9 February 2023 in response to a cruelty report and sighted the two severely underweight dogs, both of which appeared ravenous. A large tub in the backyard that the defendant identified as the dogs’ water bowl contained overgrown grass and green algae.
The defendant declined a request to surrender his dogs into RSPCA’s care. Due to their very poor condition, the inspector seized both dogs and transported them to RSPCA’s Lonsdale shelter.
The nine-year-old male German Shepherd named Ace and 14-year-old female kelpie named Kellee had body condition scores of 1.5/9. When taken into RSPCA care, Ace weighed 19.25kg but within three months his weight had increased by 66% to 32kg.
Kellee weighed 10.6kg when she first came to the Lonsdale shelter and within two months had increased by nearly 60% to 16.75kg.
The defendant identified financial hardship as the reason for failing to provide adequate and appropriate nutrition to his dogs. In sentencing, Magistrate Natalie Browne took the defendant’s early guilty plea and lack of relevant antecedents into account. Her Honour imposed a 12-month good behaviour bond in the amount of $500 and made orders for payment to RSPCA of $358 for court fees, in addition to payment of the victims of crime levy.
The defendant is prohibited from owning any animals until further order. Both dogs are living with RSPCA volunteer foster carers and will now be rehomed. RSPCA SA Chief Inspector Andrew Baker has urged pet owners to take action early if they are encountering difficulties in the care of their animals.
“There are always better options than allowing animals to starve,” Inspector Baker said.
“Seek support from family and friends, try to rehome your animals to a responsible person yourself, or contact reputable rescue organisations to see if they can assist. Do anything but turn a blind eye to your animal’s suffering.”
Kellee when seized 9 Feb 2023, and right – in foster care July 2023.
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.
