A lady who was prohibited from owning dogs in Victoria has actually prevented jail time after more than 300 dogs were discovered on her Murray Mallee property, a court has actually heard.
Key points:
- Kerrie Fitzpatrick was condemned of 16 animal cruelty offenses
- She was fined $5,000 and her three-month jail time was suspended
- She had more than 300 dogs at her Parrakie property
Kerrie Maree Fitzpatrick was fined $5,000 and sentenced to 3 months’ jail time suspended on a $500 good behaviour bond after she was condemned of 16 animal cruelty offenses.
The 48-year-old was likewise bought to pay the prosecutions’ legal expenses of more than $20,000.
During an RSPCA examination in 2018, Fitzpatrick was discovered to have more than 300 animals at her Parrakie property in South Australia’s Murray Mallee.
In his decision, Magistrate Karim Soetratma said RSPCA inspectors discovered “thick stacks of faeces” under a raised working dog kennel and dogs discovered drooling and shivering on property.
The judgement comprehensive how some dogs appeared to have behavioural concerns and struggling with stress and anxiety conditions, a five-week-old puppy was discovered “potentially born with no eyes” while numerous dogs had health conditions.
The court likewise heard the inspector discovered a big shed where “there was no water in the pens, no place tidy for the dogs to stand” and “dogs being in empty containers in order to get off the mesh”.
Fitzpatrick had actually been prohibited from keeping any dogs in Victoria for twenty years because 2017, the court formerly heard.
RSPCA South Australia’s Andrew Lewis said more powerful animal well-being guidelines are needed in the state.
“And we have actually around 4,800 signed up buddy animal breeders who — under existing laws – have actually simply needed to sign up online, pay $75 and adhere to some slightly worded, hard to implement requirements in order to run legal businesses.
“Of course, numerous breeders are running really expert businesses that prioritise their animals’ well-being, however there is a minority whose inspiration to make money comes at the expense of their animals’ wellness.”
In January, the South Australian federal government and the RSPCA released the very first evaluation into the state’s Animal Welfare Act in 15 years.
Fitzpatrick has actually been forbidden to run out than 2 dogs, 4 bunnies and 7 budgerigars presently in her care.
