Prosecutions

Cats (2) 

Dogs (2) 

The accused was convicted, fined $17,500 and disqualified from owning any animals for ten years. The accused will also be monitored for ten years.  

The accused pleaded guilty to both charges and was found guilty without conviction and fined $750. The accused was ordered to pay costs of $236.23 to the RSPCA. 

The accused was convicted, fined $3000 and disqualified from dog ownership for ten years. The accused was ordered to pay costs of $9015.16. 

The accused was fined $1000 without conviction and disqualified from owning a dog for five years. 

The accused was granted a diversion and ordered to make a $500 contribution to the court fund. 

The accused was convicted, fined $2000 and disqualified from owning a bird for five years. 

The accused was ordered to pay $300 to the court fund, write a letter of gratitude to the informant and be of good behaviour. 

The accused pleaded guilty to both charges, was placed under a community correction order for a period of 12 months and required to perform 75 hours of community work. The accused is disqualified for a further period of two years from being the person in charge of any animal. 

On follow up, the RSPCA found the dog in emaciated condition with several open lesions. On examination by an RSPCA veterinarian, the dog was found to be suffering chronic starvation, gastrointestinal ulceration, urinary scalding and dehydration which had led to pain and suffering over a period of two to three weeks. The accused surrendered the dog to the RSPCA. Humane euthanasia was required.

The accused was fined $3000 and disqualified from owning any animal for ten years.

The accused admitted that the dog had not been groomed for a year or more. The dog was surrendered to the RSPCA. On examination by an RSPCA veterinarian, the dog was found to have extensive wet matting over the body that required anaesthesia to be removed.

The accused pleaded guilty, was placed on a good behaviour bond for 12 months without conviction and disqualified from being in charge of a dog for one year.

On examination, an RSPCA veterinarian noted that the cat’s knee was inverted, causing severe bone degeneration, pain and suffering. Amputation of the limb was required to relieve the cat’s discomfort.

The accused was fined $1000 with conviction, was disqualified from pet ownership for five years and ordered to surrender the cat. The accused was ordered to pay costs of $3705.

The dog was transported to the RSPCA and examined by a veterinarian. The chain was surgically removed under anaesthetic. The dog was surrendered to the RSPCA.

The accused pleaded guilty, was fined $1750 without conviction and disqualified from dog ownership for ten years (except for one dog). The accused was ordered to pay costs of $2315.87.

The court notified the RSPCA that the offender had not paid the fine and required the RSPCA to arrange for contravention proceedings to be initiated against the offender.

The RSPCA, Victoria Police and council attended and executed a warrant. Twenty-eight cats were removed and transferred to the RSPCA for veterinary examination. Humane euthanasia was required for four cats.

The accused pleaded guilty and is subject to a monitoring order for 18 months. The accused surrendered 14 cats to the RSPCA.

Cats and kittens (23)

The dogs, cats and kittens were seized. On examination by an RSPCA veterinarian, the animals were determined to have been without adequate nutrition for at least three weeks. Humane euthanasia was required for one cat.

The accused surrendered 17 animals to the RSPCA and six were released to the family, on condition that no animal was returned to the accused’s premises.

The accused was placed on a good behaviour bond for 12 months with conviction and disqualified from any animal ownership for ten years.

The accused did not comply with this direction. RSPCA inspectors executed a search warrant and seized all three dogs for veterinary treatment, together with nine underage pups still dependent on one dog. The accused admitted there was no dog food on the premises.

On examination by an RSPCA veterinarian, one dog was found to have bilateral ear infection, mild conjunctivitis, fly-bitten ear tips and chronic flea bite dermatitis. Two dogs were emaciated: one was nursing nine 5-week- old puppies.

The accused was fined $2000 with conviction and disqualified from owning a dog for five years.

The case against the co-accused is still to be heard.

Council officers responded to a report from a witness of a dog that was struggling to walk and in very poor condition. On examination by a veterinarian, the dog had severe live maggot infestation, advanced dental disease and arthritis.

RSPCA inspectors determined that the accused had owned the dog for three years and had never taken her to a veterinarian. The accused expressed remorse that he had abandoned the dog.

The accused was placed on a good behaviour bond for a period of 2.5 years without conviction, disqualified from dog ownership for five years and ordered to donate $4000 to the court fund.

The case against the co-accused is still to be heard.

The RSPCA seized three horses, one of them in foal.  These have been in RSPCA care for almost two years.

The accused was fined $10,000 without conviction, disqualified from being in charge of any animal for ten years, and is subject to a monitoring order for ten years. The accused was ordered to pay costs of $313.50.

The RSPCA inspector issued Notices to Comply but the owner failed to meet the requirements over a period of 10 days and two more visits. The animals were seized by the RSPCA. Humane euthanasia was required for the budgerigar.

RSPCA inspectors attended again in July 2022 after additional reports of ill-treatment including audio recordings of the accused yelling at both dogs, followed by a banging or hitting noise that suggested the animals being struck, followed by yelping and crying from the dog(s). The accused was also witnessed in a local park where the dog displayed obvious signs of fear.

RSPCA inspectors executed a warrant and the dogs were seized due to their welfare being at risk.

In April and May 2021 the accused presented several sick cats and kittens for veterinary treatment. The RSPCA attended the property with council officers. Living conditions were filthy and smelled of excrement and necrosis. Officers located 12 live cats and kittens, and at least ten dead cats and kittens. Sick cats were housed communally, and access to food, water and litter trays was communal. Brimbank Council seized all twelve live cats and kittens.

RSPCA Inspectors, council and police have attended the property many times between 2017 and 2021. The accused actively entices and harbours stray/unvaccinated cats and kittens at the property in poor conditions, without any disease control measures. Pathology and veterinary findings since 2017 show that the property is contaminated with many serious and contagious disease pathogens, making it a biohazard to house or harbour cats or kittens at the property, especially those that are unvaccinated.

A veterinary assessment uncovered a transverse fracture of the tibia and fibula of her left hind leg. The RSPCA interviewed the accused who admitted to failing to provide veterinary care for the limping dog.

The co-accused was sentenced in September 2022.

The accused pleaded guilty, was given a good behaviour bond for 18 months and disqualified from being the person in charge of a dog for three years. The accused was ordered to donate $1500 to the RSPCA.

On six separate inspections in 2019, the horses were all seen to have lost more weight and body condition, and there was no compliance with the veterinary feed plan. The supplementary food being provided was grossly inadequate for four horses, and in addition the horses had pressure sores and lice infestations from lack of basic husbandry.

The accused and co-accused were unable to confirm compliance with the feeding advice provided by the veterinarian and all four horses were seized by the RSPCA.

The accused was sentenced to a community corrections order for two years including 200 hours of community service, and disqualified from caring for or owning horses for five years.

The accused and co-accused (10 March 2022) were fined $5000.

The accused pleaded guilty, was fined $3000, disqualified from being in charge of any animal for five years, and is subject to monitoring for five years.

On request from the RSPCA, a veterinarian attended and confirmed that the horse was severely emaciated and had been chronically neglected and starved for a substantial period.  The horse was also diagnosed with dehydration and poor dentition. On follow up, the horse was seen recumbent. Humane euthanasia was required.

The co-accused has a court hearing in May 2023.

On examination by an RSPCA veterinarian, the dog was suffering from osteoarthritis, resulting in disuse atrophy of her muscles, and increasing biochemical changes and toxicity from tissue damage. The dog had maggot strike around her vulva from a urine scald that was infected and oozing, a swollen anus, an infected tooth, and a heart murmur. Humane euthanasia was required.

The owner of the cow made verbal admissions to the inspectors that he had hit the cow with his car.

After seven follow-up visits, the RSPCA issued a Notice to Comply for the owners to seek veterinary treatment. However, in subsequent visits the dog’s condition had not improved and the dog was seized by the RSPCA. Examination by an RSPCA veterinarian found the dog to be approximately 50% overweight.

Both accused were found guilty with conviction, fined $1800 and disqualified from being in charge of any animal for eight years. The accused were each ordered to pay costs of $687.53.

The advertisement did not contain details of the microchip implanted into the animal and the accused did not have a valid source number as required when advertising a puppy for sale in Victoria. The accused sold the puppy for $1500 instead of $3000, to compensate the purchaser for the cost of any veterinary treatment required from an existing leg injury. A veterinary assessment uncovered a transverse fracture of the tibia and fibula of her left hind leg.

The RSPCA interviewed the accused and co-accused who admitted to failing to provide veterinary care for the limping dog.

The accused was sentenced in December 2022.

On follow-up, the dog’s condition was unchanged and the dog was seized by the RSPCA. On examination by an RSPCA veterinarian, the dog was found to have been suffering with the skin disease and large mammary mass for a long time. The dog was surrendered to the RSPCA.

The co-accused was convicted, fined $1000 and disqualified from owning a dog for five years. The co-accused had a prior conviction for a dog attack and was subsequently placed on a banning order for longer than the accused. The co-accused was ordered to pay costs of $1400.

On examination by an RSPCA veterinarian, the small circular wound was consistent with thermal injury/burn.

The dog was immediately seized by the RSPCA. On examination by an RSPCA veterinarian, the dog was found to be hypothermic, severely emaciated, and extremely dehydrated, as well as suffering a heavy flea burden. Intensive veterinary care and treatment commenced, but the dog passed away three days later.

Puppies (10)

RSPCA inspectors attended a property and found a male dog with a skin condition, an ear infection and hair loss. Inspectors advised the accused and co-accused to seek veterinary treatment. On follow-up, the RSPCA issued a Notice to Comply.

On re-inspection, RSPCA inspectors found a second female dog with 10 three-week-old puppies, living in poor conditions with a large faecal and urine build-up in the garage. The dogs and puppies were seized by the RSPCA.

On examination by an RSPCA veterinarian, the male dog was found to have chronic dermatitis and otitis externa, and the female dog was in poor condition.

Interviewed by an RSPCA inspector, the accused denied that live baiting had ever occurred at his property.

The co-accused was sentenced in July 2022.

On examination, an RSPCA veterinarian noted that ligaments in the leg were ruptured, requiring an amputation. The cat also required treatment for alopecia (fur loss) and ringworm.

The RSPCA inspector issued instructions to clean up the living environment for the animals and treat the dogs for fleas. On follow-up, the inspector observed that the animals’ living conditions had not improved and that enclosures in the back yard contained the decomposed remains of several animals and a ferret housed in filthy conditions without adequate food. Two Notices to Comply were issued regarding housing and proper feeding.

The RSPCA re-attended the property with Victoria Police and observed squalid living conditions. One dog was extremely unwell and it was seized.

The RSPCA subsequently executed a warrant at the property and all animals were seized.

The accused was found guilty without conviction, fined $1000 (aggregate) on all four charges and disqualified from owning animals for 12 months.

Investigative officers from the Greyhound Racing Integrity Unit of Greyhound Racing Victoria (GRV) attended the co-accused’s premises, where caged brushtail possums were found.

The accused was interviewed under caution by an RSPCA inspector. The accused admitted to trapping possums and to supplying them to the co-accused.

The RSPCA re-attended the property and a Notice to Comply was issued to improve the dogs’ body condition.

On re-inspection, the dogs were seized. The RSPCA veterinarian noted that one dog was suffering from starvation, a second from starvation and flea allergy dermatitis, a third from starvation, an intestinal worm burden and flea allergy dermatitis, and a fourth from starvation and a heavy intestinal worm burden, flea allergy dermatitis and a ruptured anal sac abscess. The lack of food and preventative health care directly led to the ill health, pain and suffering of these four dogs.

The accused surrendered the four dogs in the court.

The accused presented a four-year-old German Shepherd for veterinary treatment in January 2017. The dog weighed 44.3 kg and was diagnosed with atopy and secondary infection as a result of scratching, and placed on a course of treatment.

In October 2020, a RSPCA inspector attended the premises in response to a report of a German Shepherd limping and with multiple wounds.  The dog was emaciated with his hips, ribs and spine bones easily observed. The dog had multiple large necrotic, purulent wounds over his neck, ribs, and hips, was panting heavily and covered in flies. The accused surrendered Bobby to the RSPCA. On examination by a RSPCA veterinarian, the dog was found to have extensive ulcerated lesions across its body, invoking a chronic primary skin condition that was allowed to become infected. Humane euthanasia was required.

On follow-up, RSPCA inspectors attended the premises with members of Victoria Police. The accused had not complied with the instructions and the RSPCA seized the dog. The dog was unable to be rehabilitated and humane euthanasia was required.

Kitten (1)

Examination by an RSPCA veterinarian noted lack of care or proper diet. Ownership of the cats was released to the RSPCA.

On follow-up a few weeks later, the RSPCA noted that the mare had lost condition, and was in a moderate to poor condition. As it was an aged horse, the RSPCA did not hold immediate welfare concerns. However, the accused was advised by the Inspector of the benefits of getting an equine health check.

On follow-up one month later, the RSPCA found the horse had deteriorated in condition and was now skeletal. The accused was issued with a Notice to Comply to seek veterinary examination or humane euthanasia within 48 hours.

When the accused failed to comply, the RSPCA requested a veterinarian to attend. The horse was suffering from dental disease, oral ulcerations, long and sharp teeth, and had painful ringbone arthritis. Humane euthanasia was required.

On inspection, the accused claimed that her son had hit the dog and slammed a gate on it. The dog was limping and had deteriorated over the past few weeks, but the accused had not sought veterinary attention.  The dog’s rear legs were dangling from the body and the dog could not move them. The dog was surrendered to the RSPCA.

On examination at the RSPCA Veterinary Clinic, the dog was assessed as being in severe pain and suffering, with multiple bone fractures over her entire body, partial paralysis of the back legs, incontinence, and nerve damage, as well as urine scalding affecting two-thirds of her body. Humane euthanasia was required.

The accused was the co-owner of a puppy that was surrendered to the Lost Dogs Home. On examination, the puppy was suffering from multiple untreated fractures to both hind legs. Humane euthanasia was required.

RSPCA inspectors attended the premises on three more occasions to monitor the dog’s progress. The dog had gained weight with the provision of proper and sufficient food.

Twelve months later, RSPCA attended the premises after receiving another report and observed the same dog to once again be emaciated and to have a heavy flea burden with hair loss from allergic dermatitis. The accused had failed to seek veterinary treatment.

The dog was seized for immediate veterinary treatment. The RSPCA veterinarian found the dog to be emaciated and suffering from a skin condition. The accused surrendered the dog to the RSPCA.

On examination, the dog was emaciated and the cable tie caused the dog distress, pain and suffering.  The dog was surrendered to Brimbank Council, and the matter was referred to the RSPCA. Humane euthanasia was required.

In addition, both were given a banning order under the Domestic Animals Act (DAA), banning them from keeping or selling any cats (including kittens) for a period of 10 years, and are prohibited from conducting or working in any domestic animal business for that period

The accused were ordered to pay costs of $100,914.

RSPCA inspectors returned to the premises together with officers of Victoria Police and executed a search warrant.  one RSPCA inspector was the only officer able to enter the premises due to the volume of accumulated items stored throughout the premises. The inspector located three dogs inside the dwelling, all appearing in poor health and underweight. The dogs were seized on welfare grounds.

On examination by a RSPCA veterinarian, all three dogs were found to be emaciated or close to emaciated. They had heavy flea burdens and associated anaemia.

After a post-mortem, the pathologist stated that while it was unlikely that the electronic collar could cause the severe injury, it could not be ruled out.

The dog was returned to the owner but surrendered again a few months later to the RSPCA.

The accused was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment and a community corrections order for 18 months with 200 hours of work, a ten-year disqualification from owning any animal and a monitoring order for ten years.

Approximately 100 domestic rabbits were kept in dark, damp, overcrowded and dirty conditions, some with infections that required veterinary treatment. Three Notices to Comply were issued to the accused to improve the conditions and to provide food and water for the rabbits. On follow-up visits, the accused surrendered 25 rabbits to the RSPCA including one rabbit that was emaciated and flat in demeanour. On examination by the RSPCA veterinarian, the rabbit was suffering from a large, golf ball sized abscess involving most of its mouth. Humane euthanasia was required.

On follow-up inspections, the RSPCA observed goats, ducks and chickens without access to water or suitable food. The RSPCA also observed two and several goats with overgrown hooves. A Notice to Comply was issued to ensure all hooved animals were examined by a farrier and ensure none were left in pain or suffering. The accused did not have the goats treated according to the Notice to Comply.

On one inspection, RSPCA inspectors observed a recumbent goat in obvious distress. The accused refused to surrender the goat; the accused was issued with a Notice to Comply to have the goat examined by a veterinarian the same day. Humane euthanasia was required.

This case was finalised after six previous hearings.

The accused and co-accused collected the cat and were advised that the cat required urgent veterinary treatment. Following up, the RSPCA issued a Notice to Comply. The accused and co-accused failed to comply with this instruction.

The cat was again allowed to stray and was impounded by the local council. The RSPCA inspector transported the cat to the RSPCA veterinary clinic, where its condition was assessed as severe. As a result of the pain and suffering and the hopelessness of the condition, the cat was humanely euthanised.

In October 2020, a RSPCA inspector attended the premises in response to a report of a German Shepherd limping and with multiple wounds.  The dog was emaciated with his hips, ribs and spine bones easily observed. The dog had multiple large necrotic, purulent wounds over his neck, ribs, and hips, was panting heavily and covered in flies. The accused surrendered Bobby to the RSPCA. On examination by a RSPCA veterinarian, the dog was found to have extensive ulcerated lesions across its body, invoking a chronic primary skin condition that was allowed to become infected. Humane euthanasia was required.

The co-accused was convicted and fined $1500 and disqualified from dog ownership for ten years. The co-accused was ordered to pay costs of $4,467.97.

The RSPCA responded to a report in October 2021 of kittens living at the premises. The accused admitted to owning a female cat, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier and a French Bulldog. On inspection, RSPCA inspectors found two cats and a French Bulldog at the premises in breach of the order. The accused advised that she had also acquired a litter of kittens and a litter of puppies (all rehomed) while subject to the banning order.

The accused was convicted, placed on a community correction order for seven months and disqualified from owning any animal for five years (other than a dog and cat currently owned).

The co-accused was convicted in June 2021.

The accused was convicted, fined $7500, disqualified from owning any animal for ten years and subject to a monitoring order for ten years.

Dogs (5)

The co-accused faced 5 consolidated charges, 3 cruelty charges, an aggravated cruelty charge and a DAA charge. The co-accused was fined $25,000 as part of an aggregate order, without conviction.

The accused and co-accused were disqualified from overseeing any animal, keeping or selling animals, and conducting or working in a domestic animal business for ten years.

Magistrates’ Court

6-Jul-21

Latrobe Valley (online)

The case involved a dog who had suffered injuries to her throat, neck and front legs. The accused wiped the dog with a wet cloth, then asked her friends to take the dog to kennels at Traralgon. On arrival, one of her friends stitched the dog’s wounds with a needle and nylon thread. No pain relief or veterinary treatment was given. The following day the accused stated she checked on the dog and found her to be eating, walking and toileting normally. Later that night, a third party was at the kennels and observed the dog to be recumbent and motionless, and rushed her to the veterinarian. The vet found the dog was suffering from septicaemia due to infected wounds. The accused attended and was told the dog was in critical condition, and her prognosis was very poor. The accused opted for euthanasia.

The accused was fined $500 without conviction and costs of $85.70 were ordered.

8-Jul-21

Ringwood (online)

The case involved a male Golden Retriever known as ‘Cookie’ who had lost use of all four limbs and was unable to walk. The accused contacted South Eastern Animal Hospital and made an appointment for the dog to see the vet and described the condition of the dog to veterinary staff who advised the accused that the animal required vet treatment that day. The accused stated he was too busy to attend on the same day.

Cookie was heard by a witness barking in a low tone in the backyard of the premises throughout the night. The accused cancelled the veterinary appointment due to taking overtime at work.

The dog was detected by a witness recumbent in the backyard letting out low monotone barks which indicated to the witness the dog was distressed.

Again, Cookie was witnessed in the same position recumbent in the backyard, indicating he had not moved for three days. The matter was then reported to RSPCA.

Cookie was found to be paralysed and was suffering a lot of pain and discomfort. The prognosis was very poor of making a recovery or experiencing anything but a poor quality of life, and the dog was humanely euthanised.

The accused was fined $500.00 without conviction and a s12 disqualification order was made against any animal ownership for five years, save for his current dog.

27-Jul-21

Benalla (online)

The accused was the owner and person in charge of multiple animals housed at the premises, including nine dogs, a pig and two ferrets. The RSPCA received a report of dogs which were tethered outside at the premises without access to water. The Bureau of Meteorology temperature for that date and location was a high of 39 degrees Celsius. A search of the RSPCA database revealed that RSPCA Inspectors had visited the property on four separate occasions in 2018, when a copy of the Code of Practice for the Tethering of Dogs had been provided to the accused and his partner.

The RSPCA Inspector observed the animals housed in filthy conditions. All nine dogs were tethered, four of the dogs had no access to water and five had inadequate water. The pig similarly had no access to water. The Inspector was unable to find a water outlet on the premises and went to the neighbours to fill a bucket of water. She provided water to the dogs and the pig, who all drank readily and continually for several minutes.

The accused was fined $500.00 without conviction and a s12 disqualification order was handed down against ownership of dogs except for the six dogs that he currently owns.

4-Jun-21

Shepparton (online)

The case involveda tan and white American Staffordshire type dog ‘Buddy’, a Jack Russell type dog ‘Boo Boo’ and four medium-haired cats. The Staffy was kept in the rear yard with no shelter and a heavy build-up of faeces. The remaining animals were locked in the garage. The conditions inside the garage were squalid with a heavy build-up of faeces and urine covering the entire floor. Boo Boo appeared to have a severe skin condition that had inflamed the skin. All six animals were seized and transported to RSPCA.

The Magistrate placed the accused on a Good Behaviour Bond for 12 months without conviction, and awarded costs in the sum of $700.00. The ownership of animals was also granted to RSPCA.

15-Jun-21

Werribee (online)

This case involved an underweight Old English Sheepdog who was taken to a veterinary clinic in Werribee. On examination it was noted that the coat was severely matted, and that thousands of grass seeds were embedded throughout the coat. Around the paws, the seeds had penetrated the skin and embedded in the flesh, causing swelling and lesions. Maggots were also present in the lesions, feeding off the flesh.

The dog was surrendered and transferred to RSPCA’s vet clinic where grass seeds were removed from the coat, ears, ear canals, leg, paws and the prepuce of his penis.

The dog was placed on an adequate nutritious diet suitable for his needs and given anti-inflammatory and antibiotic medications to assist with the healing process. Further grass seeds worked their way out of his body over the next few weeks, and the lesions in the paws fully healed with continued treatment after several months. Within five weeks the dog had gained an ideal weight and body condition, and over several months the lesions in his paws healed.

The accused and co-accused were placed on a diversion plan. The conditions were that both be of good behaviour for 12 months, that neither be the owner of a dog for a period of five years and that a donation of $2,500 be made to the RSPCA.

16-Jun-21

Latrobe Valley (online)

The accused and co-accused were the owners and persons in charge of two Bloodhound type dogs. The dogs were not provided with a sufficient quantity of food, and subsequently both dogs lost a significant amount of weight.

Both dogs were graded a body condition score of 1 out of 5 (being emaciated). One dog also had an internal parasite infestation as well as a mild ear infection.

The Magistrate fined both accused $800.00 without conviction and awarded costs in the sum of $385.81 per person. The Magistrate also granted the s12 disqualification order for five years against ownership of all animals except for the two cats and one dog that they currently own.

17-Jun-21

Werribee (online)

The case involved a two–three month-old Boxer type puppy named Jaspar and a 9-month-old American Staffordshire Bull Terrier puppy named Diesel.

The accused would strike Diesel as a form of training and discipline, and had hit and kicked the puppy after it had engaged in rough play with the Boxer puppy. He also threw half-bricks at the American Staffordshire puppy as he ran away, with one of the half-bricks missing the Staffy and striking Jaspar.

The Magistrate placed the accused on a good behaviour bond without conviction for 12 months. Costs in the sum of $4,412.40 were awarded and a s12 disqualification order against all animal ownership for two years was granted.

18-Jun-21

Seymour (online)

The case involved a blue male Staffordshire Bull Terrier type dog ‘Boofa’.

Boofa was suffering from a chronic skin condition and had extensive hair loss over most of its body. A closer inspection revealed the dog’s skin to be flaky with a waxy appearance.

Boofa was surrendered and transported to an RSPCA Veterinary Clinic. A veterinarian conducted a full clinical examination and found the dog to be suffering from a bilateral ear infection and a skin infection. He was appropriately treated and within two weeks his condition had resolved and the hair had begun to regrow.

The accused was placed on a good behaviour bond without conviction for 12 months and costs in the sum of $313.50 were awarded.

29-Jun-21

Dandenong (online)

The case involved 16 domestic cats, four rabbits, five rats, one ferret, one native gecko, one native hopping mouse and one Staffordshire Bull Terrier type dog.

The conditions inside the premises contained a build-up of animal faeces and urine over the flooring surfaces, including carpeted areas. A black Miniature Lop rabbit was deceased in emaciated body condition and a white Miniature Lop rabbit was recumbent in emaciated body condition and was later humanely euthanised. Necropsy identified the rabbits emaciated condition was due to malnutrition.

Five rats in the same enclosure were sneezing and in poor body condition and in a separate enclosure was a rabbit in very poor condition. These animals had no access to food and either no access to water or access only to contaminated water. The bedding of the enclosures were soiled, with no evidence of recent cleaning. The rats were found to be in thin body condition and to be suffering from an upper respiratory tract infection that required treatment. The rabbit was in emaciated body condition and was suffering from starvation.

A ferret was also found in the kitchen, housed in an enclosure with no food and minimal amount of water.

The accused was placed on a Community Corrections Order with conviction for 12 months with 60 hours of unpaid community work. Costs in the sum of $729.50 were awarded and a s12 disqualification order was made against all animal ownership for a period of five years, save for her current dog and cat.