An Adelaide couple have been convicted for animal cruelty after a canine and 16 cats had been discovered residing in squalor situations and severely underweight.
The 31-year-old man and his 29-year-old accomplice had been charged with three counts of ill-treatment of animals following repeated RSPCA visits to the couple’s former Kilburn home to analyze the care of animals.
RSPCA SA mentioned its officers made repeat makes an attempt to help the couple in caring for the animals, with pet food, feeding directions and flea therapy medicine.
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The animal welfare company mentioned it additionally gave the couple the chance to give up the pets, however mentioned solely 5 cats got up.
Last yr, the RSPCA and South Australian police executed a warrant and located the animals residing in “squalid and unsanitary living conditions.”
“On entering the house, officers encountered an overwhelming smell of faeces and urine, with cat faeces and personal property scattered throughout every room,” a spokesperson for the RSPCA mentioned.
“There was an insufficient number of litter trays for the large number of cats and the only water available to the animals was green”
One of the dogs — a mastiff-boxer cross — was discovered severely malnourished, weighing solely 24kg. After being nursed again to well being, he weighed 36.5kg.
The RSPCA mentioned all animals had been faraway from the property and, besides for 2 cats, all had been rehomed.
The 31-year-old Hope Valley man was sentenced to 3 years jail within the Adelaide Magistrates Court on September 22 for different offences, which was lowered to 2 years for time served on home detention.
The RSPCA mentioned whereas the person was convicted of animal cruelty, he didn’t obtain a further sentence for the animal-related costs due to his time already spent in custody and drug dependancy points.
The 29-year-old lady was convicted in July 2023 and acquired a nine-month good behaviour bond.
RSPCA SA Chief Inspector Andrew Baker mentioned the case highlighted the significance of desexing pets to stop undesirable litters.
“We urge people to recognise their limits and only have the number of animals that they have the resources to maintain in good health, and to microchip, register and desex their animals, as required by law,” he mentioned.
The RSPCA mentioned the couple weren’t charged in relation to one of many dogs, Chester, who was discovered on the home final yr barely underweight.
Chester, a staffordshire bull terrier cross, was returned to stay with the couple of their new home in February this yr.
