Port Stephens man charged with animal cruelty offences

BY JARROD MELMETH

A Nelsons Plains man has been charged with multiple animal cruelty offences after a Bull Arab dog was found starving.

The charged include failing to provide proper and sufficient food and failing to provide veterinary treatment to his emaciated Bull Arab named Lila.

In December 2020, the mans landlord heard Lila crying from the backyard and found her lying motionless in the sun with no food or water. The dog was so weak she was unable to stand on her own.

The Landlord took Lila to a local Vet the following day who found the dog was more than half the healthy weight of a dog her age and breed, weighing just 14.1kgs. The vet determined Lila had not been properly fed for up to eight weeks.

RSPCA NSW Inspector Jarman says Lila was the skinniest dog he had witnessed during all of his days working as an inspector.

“It’s a miracle she was able to make the physical recovery that she has, and that she has found an owner committed to her long-term health and happiness after such significant trauma," Mr Jarman said. 

On 6 January 2021, an RSPCA NSW inspector spoke to the defendant and observed Lila, who had made improvements due to the care and veterinary assistance sought by the landlord.

The defendant confirmed he was the owner of the three-year-old Bull Arab dog and said that he had been feeding her approximately five times a week.

The man faced Raymond Terrace Local Court on August 30, 2021 where Magistrate Cheetham commented that the defendant's attempts to feed his dog were grossly unsuccessful and disqualified him from owning any animal for 5 years. 

 

The defendant was convicted, placed on an 18-month community corrections order, and ordered to perform 100 hours of community service.

Lila is now in the care of the landlord, who has taken responsibility for her treatment, including the significant costs associated with her rehabilitation and on-going management.

RSPCA NSW Chief Inspector Scott Meyers says there is no excuse to effectively starve an animal who is wholly dependent upon you.

"We implore people who are struggling to meet the basic needs of their pets to seek appropriate help, whether that is financial, mental health, or other reasons. Cruelty of this nature is preventable," Mr Meyers said.

Pictured: Lila after being found starving.

Pictured: Lila today after being cared for by
her new owner.

Cliftliegh Woman Charged With Animal Cruelty

BY JARROD MELMETH 

A Cliftleigh woman has been charged with animal cruelty offences for failing to provide veterinary treatment for her horse.

The Mare named Lady was found in a paddock with a chest wound that transected her chest muscles and exposed her ribcage, measuring 50 centimetres long and almost 40 centimetres deep.

On February 10, 2020, following a torrential storm, Lady was found in a paddock with the injuries. A local vet was notified and attended to property after being contacted by the owner of the paddock. Lady was shaking profusely in pain.

The 48-year-old Cliftleigh woman arrived later that evening where she was presented with treatment options by the vet. The woman refused all the options and took the horse home with her. She told the vet she would treat the horse with "silver and honey, and she will be right as rain in [six] months of so."

The vet contacted the RSPCA who attended the defendants property and found Lady standing in full sun, on a very hot day, with greying flesh and muscle spilling from the chest wound. The inspector confirmed the horse had been without vet treatment for 20 hours and was in excruciating pain.

An on-call vet was contacted who came and euthanised Lady.

The Cliftleigh woman was sentenced to an 18-month Community Corrections Order, as well as being handed a $2,000 fine with money awarded to the RSPCA.

RSPCA NSW Chief Inspector Scott Myers says it is appalling that someone could choose to remove and animal from the care of a qualified vet.

"This horse very clearly needed emergency vet treatment and was in a position to recieve that treatment, but by the owners callous decision, she was forced to endure hours of suffering.

"Animals feel pain just as people feel pain, and it is the responsibility of owners to do the right thing," Mr Myers said.

Pictured: Lady.

WARNING GRAPHIC CONTENT BELOW:

Brookfield Farmer Gaoled Over Shocking Animal Cruelty

 BY IAN CROUCH

A Hunter farmer will spend at least the next 10 months behind bars over a shocking animal cruelty incident near Dungog.

Brookfield farmer, Michael Johns used his Toyota Landcruiser to slam into a pregnant cow which wandered onto his property from a neighbouring farm in December last year, breaking it's rear right leg.

The 37-year-old then used a pocket knife to slit the throat of the injured animal, leaving it in considerable pain.

The cow's owner discovered the badly injured animal hours later surrounded by 15 Maremma dogs owned by Johns which were trying to maul the animal, and put an end to its suffering.

Johns' solicitor argued for leniency due to a mental health condition. However the application was dismissed, with the Magistrate describing the animal's treatment as utterly appalling.

Johns was also ordered to pay $5000 in costs to the RSPCA.