A 39-year-old man pleaded guilty in the Whyalla Magistrates Court yesterday on one count of ill-treatment of an animal.
The eight-year-old mixed breed, named Odin, came into RSPCA South Australia's care on 3 May 2024 after he was seized by an RSPCA SA inspector responding to a cruelty report at a property in Whyalla Sturt. The charges were originally laid against a 36-year-old woman and her 19-year-old son, but they were later withdrawn after the defendant, who resides at the same property, confirmed that he was the primary carer of the dog.
Odin weighed just 32.2kg and had a body condition score of 2/9 when he came into RSPCA SA's care. Odin's ribs, pelvis and hip bones were clearly visible. After just two months of being fed an appropriate diet while in foster care, Odin gained 32% (10.2kg) of his initial body weight, bringing him to an improved weight of 42.4kg.
At the time Odin was seized, the investigating RSPCA SA inspector was responding to a report about a separate dog, named Caesar, with a visible skin condition near his tail base and swelling around his jaw. The 19-year-old man was present at the time and confirmed that there was a cat and another dog (Odin) that lived at the property. Though the man was reluctant to show the inspector the second dog, he eventually agreed to bring him into the rear yard for inspection. Due to Odin's extremely poor condition, the inspector seized the dog.
In the Whyalla Magistrates Court yesterday, Her Honour Magistrate Kate White sentenced the defendant to a six-month good behaviour bond taking into account his early guilty plea. Odin was also forfeited to RSPCA SA for rehoming.
Her Honour explained to the defendant that owning a pet "is a weighty responsibility as dogs cannot care for themselves and are entirely reliant on you." She highlighted an overall need for general deterrence in the community and explained to the accused that he needed to have acted sooner to prevent suffering to the animal, which he agreed with and expressed remorse.
RSPCA SA Chief Inspector Andrew Baker said the defendant failed to meet Odin's basic care needs.
"Before you make the decision to bring an animal into your home, you need to ensure that you have the resources available to properly care for that animal," Inspector Baker said.
"We understand that circumstances can change, and cost of living pressures are hitting people hard, but if you are genuinely unable to care for your pet, then it is your responsibility to find that animal an alternate home - failure to do so is cruel."
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.
