A 39-year-old woman is due before the Mount Gambier Magistrates Court charged with six counts of ill treatment of an animal in relation to six dogs allegedly found on her property in emaciated conditions.
At a previous hearing the court granted the RSPCA's application that the dogs be forfeited to the Minister, and they have now been rehomed.
A 69-year-old woman is due to appear in the Port Augusta Magistrates Court to face 23 counts of ill-treatment of an animal under SA's Animal Welfare Act.
Twenty-one counts relate to cats and kittens, covering three factual circumstances. First, the RSPCA SA will allege these animals were kept in "Filthy" conditions, which is the worst rating on the organisation's Environmental Health Scale (adapted from Tufts Animal and Condition scales). Secondly, it will be alleged that the woman failed to seek veterinary treatment to mitigate harm suffered by some of the animals. Thirdly, that she allegedly failed to provide adequate food for some of the animals, who were in emaciated condition when seized by RSPCA SA inspectors on 21 February 2024.
The two remaining counts for ill treatment of an animal concern two River Murray Short-Necked turtles. Caring for these animals in captivity is complex, with their requirements including heating and artificial UV light, water at a specific PH, turtle docks and floating banks. Without proper care, they can develop illnesses, including ones that affect their shells.
RSPCA SA will allege that the woman failed to provide adequate and appropriate living conditions for the reptiles by failing to provide clean water and docking areas, thereby causing the animals to be permanently in water, which is contrary to their natural way of life. Having failed to provide the proper daily care for the turtles, the RSPCA SA will allege the woman then failed to seek veterinary treatment for them when they developed diseases. One had black ulcerated lesions and a soft shell due to lack of exposure to ultraviolent light and the other also had multiple lesions on its shell and a bone infection.
The woman surrendered three of the kittens, enabling them to be rehomed, but the other animals remain in protective custody with RSPCA SA.
A 35-year-old man and his 36-year-old wife are due to face the Port Pirie Magistrates Court this month charged with five counts of ill treatment of an animal.
It will be alleged that the couple failed to provide appropriate and adequate living conditions and drinking water for 49 rabbits and five guinea pigs being kept at their Jamestown property, and that they failed to obtain veterinary treatment for a dog. The elderly dog was humanely euthanased. The other animals were seized and remain in protective custody with RSPCA SA. The organisation will seek a court order that the animals be forfeited so they can be rehomed.
