Cases scheduled for court hearings in March 2024

A northern suburbs couple aged in their early 60s and their 28-year-old daughter are due in the Elizabeth Magistrates Court to face three charges of animal ill-treatment in relation to two toy poodle dogs, one of which was euthanased due to multiple health issues allegedly caused by chronic neglect. The other dog has required extensive veterinary care and remains in protective custody with RSPCA SA.

A northern suburbs woman, aged 31, is due to appear in the Elizabeth Magistrates Court on a charge of ill-treatment of an animal in relation to three dogs found in emaciated condition at her northern suburbs property. The dogs remain in protective custody with RSPCA SA.

A man from the Fleurieu Peninsula is due to face the Christies Beach Magistrates Court charged with animal ill-treatment after a cat and two kittens were found living in squalid and unsanitary conditions inside a unit strewn with rubbish and faeces.

A 39-year-old woman from the western suburbs is due to face the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court on two counts of animal ill treatment in relation to six dogs in the defendant’s care.  Three dogs were found in an emaciated state in 2021, with the second charge relating to a further three dogs located some two years after the initial attendance. The first three dogs were rehabilitated in RSPCA’s care and rehomed, while the three dogs in the second group remain in protective custody with RSPCA SA.

A 50-year-old-woman and her 24-year-old niece are due to appear in the Whyalla Magistrates Court on two counts of ill-treatment of an animal in relation to two dogs found in emaciated condition on their Whyalla property. One dog was surrendered and has been rehomed while the other remains in protective custody with RSPCA SA.

A 52-year-old man from Adelaide’s northern suburbs is due to appear in the Elizabeth Magistrates Court on two charges of ill-treatment of an animal in relation to two dogs, one of which was in need of urgent veterinary treatment. The defendant is facing two further counts of animal ill-treatment in relation to two cats and a pig.

A 30-year-old woman from the western suburbs is due to face the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court charged with breaching a court order on two separate occasions prohibiting her from owning any animals. The defendant was allegedly found on 17 May 2023 with two puppies in her care. On 6 September 2023  the accused was found with a further six dogs at her property.  (The order prohibiting the defendant from owning any animals except three birds was made after she plead guilty and was convicted in October 2022 on animal ill-treatment charges relating to four dogs, four puppies and two cats.) The accused is also charged with breaching the good behaviour bond she was given in the October 2022 sentence.

A 46-year-old woman and her 48-year-old partner are due to face the Berri Magistrates Court on charges of animal ill-treatment in relation to three dogs and six puppies being allegedly kept in squalid conditions inside a small, disused toilet block in Coonalpyn. The defendant is also charged with breaching a 2018 court order that prohibited her from acquiring more cats and with a further ten counts of animal ill-treatment for keeping cats in a filthy enclosure with so little food and water that four died. The survivors were so hungry they had begun to cannibalise the bodies of the deceased. The further alleged offending occurred whilst the defendant was on bail for the offences relating to the dogs. All surviving animals have been rehomed except one kitten that was euthanased on humane grounds due to a medical condition with a poor prognosis.

A 53-year-old man from the northern suburbs is due to face the Elizabeth Magistrate Court charged with failure to take reasonable steps to mitigate harm. The defendant is charged with failing to obtain veterinary treatment for his cat, which was found suffering a tumour in its right eye that caused the eye globe to rupture.

A 28-year-old woman from the northern suburbs has been arrested under warrant and is due to face the Elizabeth Magistrates Court in relation to a 2019 case involving a Siberian Husky dog found in emaciated condition and allegedly abandoned by the defendant. The dog recovered and was subsequently surrendered to RSPCA SA and rehomed.

A 60-year-old man from the southern suburbs will face the Christies Beach Magistrates Court charged with ill-treatment of an animal to cause death or serious harm. The charge relates to a male Boxer dog found with a large, ulcerated tumour protruding from his sternum. Due to the dog’s extremely poor condition and prognosis, he was humanely euthanased after seizure.

A 40-year-old woman from the north-eastern suburbs is facing 20 charges of ill treatment of an animal in relation to more than 60 animals, including 17 cats and a mix of rabbits, pigeons, cockatoos, lorikeets, corellas, magpies, galahs, possums, a water dragon lizard, puppies, canaries, a duck and an owl. All were allegedly being kept in unsanitary and squalid conditions. She is due to face the Elizabeth Magistrates Court this month.

 

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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.