Cases scheduled for court hearings in September 2023
A 58-year-old man from the Murraylands region is due to face the Elizabeth Magistrates Court on nine counts of ill-treatment of an animal in relation to nine dogs, all found in emaciated condition and suffering severe and chronic skin conditions. The defendant is charged with failing to mitigate harm suffered by the animals, two of which were humanely euthanased due to multiple health issues.
A couple in their 40s is due to face the Christies Beach Magistrates Court to face two counts of ill-treatment of an animal in relation to two dogs, found in emaciated condition. Both dogs were surrendered to RSPCA inspectors and have been rehomed. Their adult teenage son is a co-accused in relation to the care of one of the dogs. The couple is also accused of breaching a 12-month suspended sentence bond ordered in October 2021, after they were convicted for failing to provide sufficient food to two other dogs in their care that were also found in emaciated condition in 2020. Those two dogs were also rehomed. Part of the 2021 sentence was a court order prohibiting them from acquiring or having custody of any animals until further order, which they are now accused of breaching.
A 27-year-old woman is due to appear in the Elizabeth Magistrates Court to face one countof ill-treatment of an animal in relation to a dog found in emaciated condition at a north-eastern suburbs property. The defendant in this long running case has previously been arrested on a warrant after failing to attend court last year.
A woman from the southern suburbs is due to face Court on two counts of animal ill-treatment in regards to a failure to seek medical attention for her dog, who was suffering from an untreated ear infection and skin condition, as well as one of her cats, who was left in their own waste in a cat carrier. The defendant is further charged with one count of hinder or obstruct an RSPCA inspector in exercise of their powers.
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 couple from the state's east are facing the Berri Magistrates Court on two counts of animal ill-treatment over the living conditions of four cats and four guinea pigs that were in their care. The animals were found by an RSPCA inspector to be living in their own urine and faeces. The 41-year-old woman is further charged with breaching an earlier order prohibiting her from owning animals due to prior offending against the Animal Welfare Act.
A man and a woman are due to face the Whyalla Magistrates court on two counts of ill-treatment of an animal after a female dog and her seven puppies were found in emaciated condition. In addition to allegedly failing to provide appropriate and adequate nutrition to the animals, the defendants are alleged to have failed to seek veterinary treatment for severe ring worm.
A 30-year-old man is due to appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court charged with alleged failure to adequately feed a nine-year-old mastiff cross dog, found in emaciated condition. He is also charged with alleged failure to provide appropriate and adequate living conditions to 16 cats, found living in squalid and unsanitary conditions at a property in Kilburn. A co-accused 28-year-old female defendant was prosecuted on the same charges on 24 July 2023. She received a nine-month good behaviour bond, and was prohibited from owning any animals other than one dog and one cat currently in her care. Most of the animals that were the subject of the prosecution have been surrendered and rehomed. The dog and two of the 16 cats remain in protective custody with RSPCA SA.
A 40-year-old woman from Adelaide's north-eastern suburbs and her former partner are 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. Both defendants are due to face the Elizabeth Magistrates Court this month.
A northern suburbs woman is due before the Elizabeth Magistrates Court to face one count of ill-treatment of an animal in relation to nine cats and three kittens. The animals were allegedly living in squalid and unsanitary conditions.
A trial continues in the Elizabeth Magistrates Court with a female defendant charged with ill treatment of an animal in relation to a Standardbred horse that was found emaciated and suffering from a chronic and painful medical condition. The horse was euthanised on humane grounds.
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.
