A southern suburbs couple who pleaded guilty to starving their two large-breed dogs were sentenced to six weeks imprisonment, suspended on a bond to be of good behaviour for 12 months.
In the Christies Beach magistrate’s court this afternoon, the 44-year-old man and 39-year old woman were convicted on two charges of Ill-Treatment of an Animal for failing to provide adequate food to their two mastiff-cross dogs, both found in emaciated states by RSPCA South Australia inspectors.
Chief Veterinarian Dr Brad Ward estimated the dogs had been suffering malnutrition due to an inadequate diet for at least three to six weeks prior to their seizure. Both dogs were surrendered and rehomed.
In sentencing the couple, Magistrate Teresa Anderson said it was obvious to anyone that the dogs were starving.
“Their ribs were protruding, they had a sunken and wasted appearance,” her Honour said. “They were not too far off death.
The couple were each ordered to pay $2000 in veterinary and boarding costs, $172 in court fees and $75 in legal fees. They are prohibited from owning any animals until further order and must surrender a dog currently in their care to RSPCA SA within seven days.
Backyard dog breeders convicted on cruelty charges
A couple and their adult son from Adelaide’s northern suburbs were convicted in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on cruelty charges relating to seven dogs in their care.
The three were charged with six counts of Ill-Treatment of an Animal for failing to provide appropriate and adequate living conditions for the dogs, which were found living in squalid and unsanitary conditions.
They were also charged with one count of failing to provide appropriate and adequate food for one of the dogs, a five-year-old female Labrador named Pumpkin who was nursing a litter of eight puppies.
At a court hearing on Monday 30 August, Magistrate Kym Millard said the house needed to be in a clean state before he would agree to the return of the dog. An RSPCA inspector attended at the defendants’ property on Friday 24 September to assess its current condition and reported that the property had been significantly cleaned and rubbish removed.
It was no longer regarded as a risk to the health or safety of the animals. As a consequence, Magistrate Millard agreed to the return of Ruby to her owners on condition that she be desexed, microchipped, vet-checked every 12-months and that her care be overseen by RSPCA SA for the next three years.
The defendants are prohibited from owning any other animals until further order. All three defendants were convicted and placed on a 12-month good behaviour bond, and ordered to pay $1200 each in animal boarding fees to RSPCA SA.
Ongoing cases
-A 45-year-old Adelaide hills woman who is prohibited from owning cats due to a previous cruelty conviction is charged with failing to comply with that order. She is also charged with 10 counts of ill-treatment of an animal in relation to deceased and/or emaciated cats found on her property. She is due to appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court later this month.
-A northern suburbs woman is charged with ill-treatment of a dog, found in emaciated condition. She is due to appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court later this month.
-Two women from the Barossa Valley are facing seven charges of ill-treatment of an animal in relation to seven horses found in varying states of emaciation and overall neglect. The case is set to be heard in the Murray Bridge Magistrates Court later this month.
-A western suburbs man is charged with ill-treatment of a dog, allegedly for failure to mitigate harm in relation to a chronic medical condition requiring veterinary intervention and surgery. The trial is set to continue in the Christies Beach Magistrates Court later this month.
-A 31-year-old man from Adelaide’s south is facing three charges of ill-treatment of a dog that he is alleged to have intentionally, unreasonably or recklessly caused harm to. He is due to appear in the Christies Beach Magistrates Court in November.
-A southern suburbs woman is charged with ill-treatment of a dog, found in emaciated condition. She is due to appear in the Christies Beach Magistrates Court in November.
-A 50-year-old man from the western suburbs is charged with ill-treatment of a dog, found suffering from untreated severe dental disease, with rotten teeth and ulcerated and inflamed lips, gums and palate. He is due to appear in the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court in November.
-A couple from the state’s southeast is charged with three counts of ill-treatment of an animal in relation to an adult cat and kittens they allegedly abandoned, and another adult cat found with severe dental disease and in an emaciated state. The man and woman are due to appear in the Mt Gambier Magistrates Court in November.
-A 63-year-old woman and 73-year-old man are charged with ill-treatment of a dog, found with a severely matted coat covering its entire body which – once removed – weighed 6.4kg. He is due to appear in the Whyalla Magistrates Court in November.
-A northern suburbs man is charged with two counts of ill-treatment of an animal in relation to two dogs found with severely matted coats. One of the dogs was also found to have severe dental disease and conjunctivitis in both eyes that required treatment. He is due to appear in the Elizabeth Magistrates Court in November.
