Inspectorate Updates

A 68-year-old Strathfield man was sentenced at Parramatta Local Court on 10 February 2022 for conduct relating to eight brachycephalic dogs, which he bred and kept below the premises of his wife’s veterinary clinic in Blacktown. The man pleaded guilty to failing to provide veterinary treatment to six of the dogs for a variety of conditions, and to committing an act of aggravated cruelty against three of the dogs, for whom his failure to provide vet treatment resulted in serious disablement. A further offence involving multiple violations of the Animal Welfare Code of Practice – Breeding Dogs and Cats was also taken into account on sentence. On 8 May 2020, RSPCA NSW inspectors and a RSPCA NSW veterinarian attended the Blacktown property in response to a complaint about the condition of French Bulldog puppies the defendant had advertised for sale on Gumtree. While the upper level of the property operated as a veterinary clinic, a breeding facility occupied the lower level garage area, housing a total of ten dogs….

A 26-year-old Busby woman was convicted and sentenced at Liverpool Local Court on 23 November 2021 in relation to multiple animal cruelty charges. They include four charges of failing to provide veterinary treatment to her female American Staffordshire Terrier dog and her five puppies for emaciation, fly bite to ears, fleas, and gastrointestinal parasites. On 31 March 2021, an RSPCA NSW inspector attended the defendant’s Busby property in response to a cruelty complaint. On arrival, the inspector found five puppies covered in faeces inside a filthy enclosure. The puppies had swollen stomachs, indicative of heavy worm burden, and were the size of 5-week-old puppies despite being nine weeks old. The mother dog had clearly visible protruding rib and hip bones and fly bitten ears. When questioned, the defendant revealed that five puppies from the litter of ten had died and she had not taken any of the puppies, dead or alive, to a veterinarian, ever. The puppies and their mother…

A 41-year-old Bidwill woman was convicted and sentenced at Mount Druitt Local Court on 21 October 2021 after pleading guilty to multiple animal cruelty charges. The charges include committing an act of aggravated cruelty upon an animal and failing to provide veterinary treatment to her male Chihuahua. On 11 December 2019, two RSPCA NSW inspectors attended the defendant’s property in response to a cruelty complaint. They found the defendant’s Chihuahua with its right eye protruding out of the socket and the left eye covered in thick pus. The dog also had a patchy coat, scaly skin, trouble breathing, and was dripping urine.   The dog was found to have a prolapsed ruptured right eye and was humanely euthanised   The defendant was convicted and placed on a two-year community corrections order. Magistrate Corry noted the serious nature of the cruelty and disqualified the defendant from owning any animal for five years. “Sadly, this Chihuahua was suffering from the consequences of his owner’s neglect for too long. It…

A Glenmore Park woman was convicted and sentenced at Penrith Local Court on 21 October 2021 after pleading guilty to multiple animal cruelty charges. The charges include committing an act of aggravated cruelty upon an animal and failing to provide veterinary treatment to her dog, named Suzy. On 6 July 2021, an RSPCA NSW inspector saw a black and white American Staffordshire terrier with a large wound visible in the defendant’s backyard. The dog was lying on its side and was unresponsive to initial calls made by the inspector and the defendant. Upon closer examination, the inspector located a large, ulcerated, and infected lump on the dog’s stomach. Blood was weeping from the wound, with encrusted blood visible in the fur on both hind legs of the dog. The lump impacted the dog’s ability to sit down and walk. Due to the extent of her injury, Suzie was seized by the inspector for immediate veterinary treatment. An expert veterinarian found…

A Nelsons Plains man was convicted and sentenced at Raymond Terrace Local Court on 30 August 2021 after pleading guilty to multiple animal cruelty charges. The charges include failing to provide proper and sufficient food and failing to provide veterinary treatment to his emaciated Bull Arab dog named Lila. “Lila is the skinniest dog I have witnessed during all my days working as an inspector,” said RSPCA NSW Inspector Jarman. “It’s a miracle she was able to make the physical recovery that she has, and that she has found an owner committed to her long-term health and happiness after such significant trauma.” On 1 December 2020, the defendant’s landlord heard Lila crying from the backyard and found her lying motionless in the sun with no food or water. Lila was severely emaciated to the point she was unable to stand on her own. The landlord took Lila to a local veterinarian the following day who found that the dog was…

A 72-year-old Lethbridge Park man who was found guilty of multiple animal cruelty offences withdrew his conviction and sentence appeals at Parramatta District Court on 20 August 2021. The man had been found guilty earlier this year after a defended hearing on 6 May 2021 at Mount Druitt Local Court, where he contested six charges of failing to provide veterinary treatment to a white Poodle crossbreed dog. At the conclusion of the hearing, the man was convicted on all counts and fined a total of $5,400 for the offences: · $1000 for failing to provide vet treatment for the dog’s dental disease · $800 for failing to provide vet treatment for the dog’s faecal scalding · $1000 for failing to provide vet treatment for the dog’s conjunctivitis · $1000 for failing to provide vet treatment for the dog’s ear infections · $800 for failing to provide vet treatment for the dog’s flea infestation · $800 for failing to provide vet…

As the lead agency on the investigation into the deaths of fifteen dogs who were in the custody of Bourke Shire Council last week, we want to advise you that we are continuing to make enquiries into the matter. We must reiterate that this is an active investigation, and we cannot provide any further information. It is for this reason that we have made the decision to turn off commentary on this post. We understand that these circumstances are confronting, and it’s issues like this that motivate us to do better. RSPCA NSW believes that physically healthy and behaviourally sound companion animals that are suitable for adoption should not be euthanised. The community faces unprecedented challenges presented by this pandemic, and it is clear that more support in navigating animal welfare issues is needed. Like many other organisations, RSPCA NSW is working hard to adapt to the challenges, developments and strict protocols and procedures that impact our capacity to do…

A 41-year-old Kooringal woman was convicted and sentenced in her absence at Wagga Wagga Local Court on 21 July 2021 after pleading guilty to multiple animal cruelty charges. The charges included failing to provide veterinary treatment and failing to provide proper and sufficient food to three horses in poor body condition. RSPCA NSW attended a Lake Albert property on 3 June 2021 after the defendant failed to comply with previously issued instructions relating to seven horses and ponies in her care. An external veterinarian and an RSPCA NSW inspector found the horses located within a single, barren paddock on the property. There were no visible signs of drinking water or edible material, and it was infested with Paterson’s Curse, a weed that is toxic to horses, causing gut inflammation, decreased liver function, and eventual death if excessively consumed. The skeletal outline of one Appaloosa stallion in the paddock was visible to the inspector and vet from a distance. The Appaloosa stallion, a Paint Horse stallion and a Palomino mare were promptly transported to the Sydney University Equine Hospital for urgent veterinary treatment of severe rain scald, gum ulcerations, and to investigate their poor body…

A 33-year-old Broken Hill man who pleaded guilty to committing an act of aggravated animal cruelty had his severity appeal dismissed by Broken Hill District Court on 9 August 2021. In dismissing the appeal, the District Court Judge confirmed the orders made by the Broken Hill Local Court on 30 June 2021, and the offender was taken into custody to serve a term of full-time imprisonment for kicking a Staffordshire Terrier, named Olaf, to death. The Court imposed a total term of imprisonment of 9 months, with a non-parole period of 3 months commencing on 30 July 2021. On 28 October 2020, an RSPCA NSW inspector responded to a cruelty complaint regarding a man kicking a dog to death. The inspector, along with a Broken Hill City Council ranger, attended the scene to find the dog, who was temporarily in the care of the defendant, deceased in the back of a utility vehicle. When questioned, the defendant admitted to kicking the dog approximately one hour earlier. He…

A 24-year-old man on a student visa was convicted and sentenced at Downing Centre Local Court on 16 July 2021 after pleading guilty to multiple animal cruelty charges.   These charges include tail docking seven Corgi puppies and failing to provide veterinary treatment to an adult female Corgi dog in poor body condition.   The defendant was also charged with failing to comply with the requirements of the Animal Welfare Code of Practice for Breeding Cats and Dogs and for confining 7 Corgi puppies in a crate of inadequate dimensions inside his residential unit. On 7 July and 20 August 2020, the man mutilated eleven puppies’ tails by placing thick elastic bands around the base of their tails to dock their tails. The practise of tail docking is purely cosmetic and has been illegal in NSW for over 17 years. The defendant made admissions he was breeding and selling the puppies for $7000 each.  RSPCA NSW was called to investigate on 24 August 2020 after the bodies of two puppies were discovered in the waste disposal bins of the unit complex. The bodies had been disposed of down the…

When you’re looking to purchase a new puppy or dog to join your family, something we recommend you should look out for is whether or not your puppies’ tail has been docked. The practise of tail docking is illegal in all states of Australia. The RSPCA has successfully prosecuted a dog breeder for cruelty in relation to docking the tail of a litter of pups.   What is tail docking?  The process of tail docking is essentially an amputation of all or part of a puppy’s tail using a cutting or crushing device. Certain breeds of dogs traditionally had their tails docked to adhere to an arbitrary set of standards about how that breed should look. The practice was purely cosmetic and became illegal in NSW in 2004. When a puppy’s tail is docked, it is normally done between the ages of two and five days, and no anaesthesia is used. The most common methods used by a breeder are…

A 28-year-old Penrith man was convicted and sentenced in his absence at Penrith Local court on 23 June 2021 for multiple offences of animal cruelty. These charges relate to five separate incidents of cruelty which included the man whipping, dragging, kicking, punching, and throwing a white and tan Staffordshire Terrier in his care. On 27 October 2020, RSPCA NSW inspectors attended the Penrith property with NSW Police, following reports of the man repeatedly punching the dog in the head and flinging it over a gate by the collar. After being cautioned by an RSPCA NSW inspector, the man admitted that he was the owner of the Staffordshire Terrier and alleged that he was disciplining the dog by smacking it. RSPCA NSW inspectors witnessed the dog crumple to the ground and cower in fear when in the presence of the defendant. The Staffordshire Terrier was seized for veterinary assessment where evidence of muscle damage as a result of trauma was discovered….

A 42-year-old Cliftleigh woman was convicted and sentenced at Maitland Local Court on Tuesday 27 April 2021 after pleading guilty to one count of failing to provide veterinary treatment to her Paint Horse mare, Lady. The defendant refused urgent vet treatment for Lady, leaving her in agonising pain as a gaping chest wound festered untreated for almost 24 hours. On 10 February 2020, following a torrential storm, Lady was found in a paddock with a chest wound that transected her chest muscles and exposed her ribcage, measuring 50 centimetres long and almost 40 centimetres deep. Two large pools of blood lay nearby. A local vet was immediately contacted by the owner of the paddock where Lady was agisted. Arriving in ten minutes, the vet administered temporary pain relief and sedated Lady, who was shaking profusely in pain, before assessing her condition. The defendant arrived later that evening, and the vet presented all available treatment options to her: take Lady to an…

RSPCA NSW and NSW Police have seized more than 540 roosters as investigations continue into the activities of an illegal cockfighting syndicate in Sydney’s south-west.  This is the largest seizure of fighting roosters ever executed by RSPCA NSW. Over 540 roosters, cockerels and pullets, as well as cockfighting paraphernalia, were located at a property in Horsley Park following the execution of a search warrant by NSW Police yesterday (Thursday 11 March 2021) at 11 a.m.  RSPCA NSW inspectors caught and transported over 80 birds from the property yesterday afternoon to the Sydney Shelter and to emergency accommodation off-site. Operations to safely remove the remaining animals will continue today (Friday 12 March 2021). A man was detained by police, and spoken to at the property, before being released.   This follows the seizure of 71 fighting cockerels from a property at Camden Valley Way in Catherine Field on Sunday 13 December 2020, which uncovered a designated cockfighting area and several large sheds used to house fighting birds, as well as metal spikes, spurs and other cockfighting paraphernalia. Images and footage of the seizure available here.

RSPCA NSW yesterday seized 79 dogs from a breeding establishment located in Central West New South Wales following reports of alleged breaches to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979. Two RSPCA NSW inspectors executed a search warrant at the property at 8 a.m. on Wednesday 24 February 2021. Due to the size of the operation, six inspectors, two RSPCA NSW veterinarians and two animal transport officers attended the property and assessed the animals. The inspectors seized 79 dogs and puppies requiring varying degrees of veterinary treatment into RSPCA NSW custody. All animals were admitted into care at RSPCA veterinary hospitals by 5.15 a.m. this morning, Thursday 25 February 2021. The investigation is ongoing. A decision to lay charges against the person of interest will be made within 60 days. More images available here.

A 58-year-old Parkes man was convicted and sentenced at Parkes Local Court on 23 December 2020, following a plea of not guilty to one charge of authorising the carriage of animals in a manner that unjustifiably inflicted pain upon them. The man was convicted and fined $900.00 after electing to challenge a Penalty Infringement Notice (PIN) issued by RSPCA NSW inspectors on 12 March 2019. The original PIN amount was $500.00 and, if paid, would not have resulted in a criminal conviction. The Court heard that on 17 January 2019, 13 cattle were delivered by truck to an abattoir in Young, where the Head Stockman immediately raised concerns about the health of the cattle. The abattoir’s Quality Assurance Manager observed the cattle in the holding yards and called the on-plant veterinarian for assistance after seeing several cattle in a “distressed state” with numerous injuries. A veterinary report tendered at the hearing stated that eight cattle had injuries or conditions that…

A 38-year-old Greenacre man has withdrawn his severity appeal from Campbelltown District Court on 20 November 2020. The original conviction and orders of the Local Court for one act of aggravated cruelty and failure to provide vet treatment to one mare were confirmed. After hearing evidence from both parties, the District Court Judge issued a PARKER warning – that is, a warning that the Judge is considering increasing the sentence imposed in the Local Court, which provides the appellant with an opportunity to withdraw their appeal rather than risking a more severe penalty. The offender availed himself of that opportunity and his appeal was withdrawn and dismissed. The man was originally convicted after he entered a plea of guilty on the day of hearing to an offence of committing an act of aggravated cruelty on a mare on 21 September 2020 at Picton Local Court. He was convicted, fined $3000 and ordered to enter a Community Corrections Order for a period…

RSPCA NSW inspectors today performed animal trade inspections at two properties located in the Southern Tablelands following reports of animal welfare concerns in relation to up to 120 breeding dogs and puppies. Eight inspectors, accompanied by an RSPCA ambulance driver and an RSPCA veterinarian, conducted Animal Welfare Code of Practice inspections at the locations. This operation follows last month’s announcement of RSPCA NSW’s Breeder Compliance Unit, an arm of the Inspectorate which will be dedicated to proactively inspecting companion animal breeders to ensure compliance with the Code of Practice. The taskforce last month received additional funding from the state government and will be resourced to collect the digital footprint of breeders operating in NSW and enable more frequent inspections of the facilities. “In NSW, breeder registration is not required by law, making it challenging to keep track of breeders doing the wrong thing. We rely on reports and evidence from the community to investigate complaints,” said RSPCA NSW CEO Steve…

New South Wales is one step closer to winning the fight against non-compliant puppy factories, with RSPCA NSW today welcoming additional funding from the NSW state government to address animal welfare concerns in the industry. The funds will go to RSPCA NSW’s Intensive Breeding Taskforce, a specialised arm of the organisation’s Inspectorate dedicated to investigating inadequate conditions and standards at intensive dog breeding facilities. “This is a huge win for animal welfare, as well as for breeders across the state who love and look after their animals,” said RSPCA NSW CEO Steve Coleman. “Every day we face the dark side of the animal breeding industry, where profits are put above an animal’s welfare. Countless animals come through our doors in appalling condition and suffering from health and behavioural problems.” “This funding will help us double down on cruelty of this nature. The message is loud and clear; it will not be tolerated.” Four dedicated inspectors in the taskforce will be…