A man who forced a dog to walk and run for 33km before smashing the animal into the ground and then throwing it into the air was today convicted on three charges of animal cruelty.
The offences occurred at approximately 10pm on 31 October, 2020, near the intersection of Brodie Rd and Sherriffs Rd in Lonsdale. A passing motorist reported seeing the defendant yelling at the dog, grabbing the animal by the scruff of her neck and smashing her head and body into the cement bike path three times.
The defendant then rode his bike further down the path, screaming and motioning at the dog to follow, which the dog did.
The witness then saw the defendant stop his bike, again pick the dog up by the scruff of her neck and throw the dog approximately two metres down the path.
A second vehicle stopped and a male passenger ran down the path towards the defendant. The ensuing confrontation became heated when the defendant refused to hand the dog over.
Police were called and located the defendant. He admitted taking the dog from his mother’s Hackam West house and making her walk and run a total distance of 33km.
Compounding the seriousness of the offense was the fact that the dog, a two-year-old Staffordshire Terrier cross named Little Miss, had three weeks prior given birth to six puppies.
The dog was taken into care at RSPCA SA’s Lonsdale shelter, where an examination by Chief Veterinarian Dr Brad Ward revealed the dog was:
• underweight, with a BCS (body condition score) of 2/9
• lame in her right forelimb
• had skin missing and obvious trauma to both front paw pads
Dr Ward stated that the dog was already under nutritional stress because she was at the stage of peak lactation. He stated that a bitch feeding puppies should not be exercised, but should instead be allowed to rest and conserve energy for her wellbeing as well as the puppies.
It was four days before the dog could walk without limping. RSPCA SA inspectors seized the three-week-old puppies so they could be reunited with their mother.
The dog belongs to the defendant’s mother. Once Little Miss had recovered, the owner was allowed to reclaim the dog and puppies on the condition that the defendant (her son) not be allowed to reside at the address.
In the Christies Beach Magistrates Court today, the defendant entered guilty pleas to all three charges of ill treatment of an animal.
Magistrate Gregory Fisher accepted that the defendant was affected by drugs at the time of the offending and had not set out with the premeditated intention of running the dog 33km, and that the excessive run was the cause of the harm to the dog, Little Miss.
His Honour sentenced the defendant to a $500, 12-month good behaviour bond and he is prohibited from owning any animals until further order.
He was ordered to pay legal costs of $600 as well as vet and boarding costs totalling $550 to RSPCA SA.
