Key factors:
- Kerrie Marie Fitzpatrick was convicted of 16 animal cruelty prices earlier this 12 months
- More than 80 dogs had been seized from a South Australian property owned by Ms Fitzpatrick
- She has been charged with breaching bond circumstances
Appearing within the Elizabeth Magistrates Court, prosecutors mentioned the RSPCA had seized 86 dogs from a puppy farm at Lewiston in October, which they allege is owned by Kerrie Marie Fitzpatrick.
Ms Fitzpatrick has been charged with failing to adjust to a court docket order in relation to a earlier conviction.
The court docket heard that the variety of animals seized from the Lewiston property had elevated by 10 with puppies just lately being born.
The RSPCA anticipated extra animals to be seized.
Earlier this 12 months Ms Fitzpatrick was discovered responsible of 16 animal cruelty prices after greater than 300 dogs had been discovered on her Murray Mallee property in 2018.
In relation to these prices, she was fined $5,000, and sentenced to 3 months’ imprisonment which was suspended on a $500 good behaviour bond.
While Ms Fitzpatrick didn’t attend her listening to on Tuesday, her lawyer Craig Caldicott advised the media exterior court docket that his consumer denied proudly owning the dogs seized at Lewiston and that she meant to contest the costs.
“What’s occurring is she intends to contest the costs, she’s indicated a plea of not responsible to the costs,” Mr Caldicott mentioned.
“They should not her dogs … and that is evident.
“I’m hoping these individuals who have bought puppies will truly obtain the puppies or else there’s a number of points with breaches of contract.
“As we heard in the present day there’s been quite a lot of puppies born on the RSPCA facility … do they belong to the RSPCA or do they belong to different individuals?”
The court docket beforehand heard the 48-year-old had been prohibited from retaining any dogs in Victoria for 20 years and had been fined a complete of $85,000 for prior breaches.
The RSPCA mentioned that Ms Fitzpatrick was to not have any additional involvement within the breeding of dogs and her bond included a situation to not promote any animals.
