A Whyalla man who pleaded guilty in the Whyalla Magistrates Court yesterday to a charge of failure to provide appropriate and adequate living conditions for his dog has been prohibited from owning any animals.

Two RSPCA South Australia inspectors attended at the man’s property on 11 August 2022 after receiving a report of an underweight dog tethered to a clothesline without access to water or shelter. They observed the dog as described in the backyard and knocked on the door of the house to speak with the occupant.

No-one came to the door, but while there the inspectors noticed that the dog had been quietly removed from the backyard by an unknown person. They left two animal welfare notices under the front door of the house, specifying that the dog was to be assessed by a qualified veterinarian by 18 August and that the dog was to have access to water and shelter at all times.

On 31 August 2022 an RSPCA SA inspector attended at the property to check on the dog. He observed that the dog was again tethered to the clothesline without shelter or water. Concerned that the dog was at imminent risk of harm, the inspector seized the dog and he was taken into RSPCA SA care.

The dog, a two-year-old mixed breed named Mad Dog, was vaccinated and provided with parasite prevention medication. The assessing RSPCA SA vet observed a large white scar along the animal’s spine, which required skin medication to relieve irritation.

Although sweet natured, the dog also required extensive behaviour modification in the form of rewards-based, positive reinforcement training. On 9 April 2023 he went to live with an RSPCA SA foster carer who continued to work with the dog to improve his hyper-reactive, stress-related behaviour, a common outcome for dogs that have experienced chronic neglect. This foster carer bonded with the dog and on 24 April 2023 he opted to adopt him.

In the Whyalla Magistrates Court yesterday, the defendant pleaded guilty to the charge of ill treatment of an animal. He was sentenced to a nine-month good behaviour bond, ordered to pay court costs totalling $612 and prohibited from owning any animals, until further order. A request from RSPCA SA for a further $3780 to cover the dog’s care costs was declined as the defendant is reliant on Centrelink.

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.