A South Coast woman has been convicted of animal cruelty offences for a third time after being found guilty in her absence of 45 offences contrary to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979 (NSW) (POCTAA): two counts of committing an act of aggravated cruelty, 10 counts of failing to provide veterinary treatment, 12 counts of committing an act of cruelty and 21 counts of failing to comply with a disqualification order.
RSPCA NSW previously prosecuted the woman for animal cruelty offences in both 2013 and 2018, resulting in disqualification orders that prohibited her from owning or having anything to do with the care of animals for five and 10 years, respectively. Those orders included exceptions that permitted the woman to keep one senior labrador.
The current prosecution involved 23 court dates spanning 21 months and three different courthouses. Ultimately appearing in Penrith Local Court on 18 May 2026, the defendant was convicted and sentenced to a 12-month aggregate Intensive Correction Order for the majority of the charges, and received convictions with no other penalty for the remainder. The Court imposed fresh disqualification orders that prohibit the defendant from owning or having anything to do with the keeping or care of animals for 10 years, with no exceptions. The defendant must also forfeit all animals in her care. Animal care costs were awarded to RSPCA NSW totalling $45,706.62 along with professional costs of $303.
The offences were committed from 2023 to 2024 with over 100 animals found in overcrowded and unhygienic conditions across several occasions by RSPCA NSW Inspectors.
Despite her existing disqualification orders, RSPCA NSW received several reports in mid-2023 that the defendant had numerous animals in her possession. In November 2023, RSPCA NSW Inspectors attended a South Coast property where the defendant was allegedly staying and found a large number of animals contained in small cat carriers on the verandah. A gap between a locked shed located in the yard revealed a number of birds, including a blue-fronted amazon parrot, in a small cat cage, with a cat sitting on top.
Inspectors returned to the property with a search warrant and found multiple animals including birds, rabbits and guinea pigs confined in overcrowded carriers and cages.
All but one of the animals, the labrador exempt from the disqualification order, were seized including:
- 20 birds
- 7 galahs
- 3 lovebirds
- 2 corellas
- 2 quails
- 2 eclectus parrots
- 2 blue-fronted amazon parrots
- 1 pigeon
- 1 sun conure parrot
- 6 rabbits
- 3 guinea pigs
- 1 cat
- 1 dog
Of the seized animals, a female dog was found to have grade 4/4 dental disease which resulted in 11 teeth being removed and had a heavy flea burden along with flea allergy dermatitis. The pigeon was in poor body condition and found to have a fractured right wing which was easily visible and prevented the bird from flying.
After receiving further reports that the defendant was again in the possession of animals, inspectors executed a search warrant in May 2024 and found a further 48 animals in the defendant’s possession, including:
- 15 guinea pigs
- 14 dogs
- 5 quails
- 4 ducks
- 4 rats
- 4 turtles
- 2 rabbits
A number of these animals were found living in unsuitable conditions, including five puppies inside an overturned transport crate in the back of a car, four rats in a small metal cage inside a plastic container and four long-neck turtles housed in a plastic washing basket, all with no access to food or water.
In June 2024, the defendant was stopped by police in her vehicle where nine dogs and four guinea pigs were found. Multiple dogs were found in the same crates which were covered in animal waste. The animals were seized and transported to an RSPCA NSW facility after being presented to a local veterinary hospital for treatment.
Following a veterinary examination, the presence of Strongyle eggs (intestinal parasites) was noted in five of the dogs.
In July 2024, RSPCA NSW Inspectors attended a known previous address of the defendant after receiving advice that she was in possession of animals.
Sixteen dogs and puppies were located in the backyard. A large of amount of diarrhoea was present on the ground and most of the dogs appeared to be underweight and suffering from a worm burden with round-shaped pot bellies.
All 16 dogs were seized and following veterinary examination it was found that:
- 8 dogs were positive for coccidia
- 12 dogs had intestinal worms
- 11 dogs were in poor body condition
In August 2024, RSPCA NSW Inspectors attended another known previous address of the defendant and found nine puppies inside a laundry. Eight of the puppies were found inside two pet carriers, covered in animal waste, while the defendant attempted to hide another inside a laundry basket of dirty clothes.
A nearby property was also attended where a further five puppies were seized.
All 14 puppies were found to have roundworm and/or hookworm, with several suffering from malnutrition.
Later that same month, the defendant was again pulled over by police who found a puppy inside a small cage. The puppy was subsequently seized and transported to an RSPCA NSW facility.
In September 2024, a further seven dogs were seized after the defendant attempted to use a pet sitting service.
“Repeat offenders like this must be held accountable for their actions,” RSPCA NSW Chief Inspector Scott Meyers said.
“Disqualification orders issued by the courts are pivotal in preventing further animal cruelty offences by convicted offenders and provides RSPCA Inspectors with access to monitor recidivist offenders.
“Enforcing those orders is essential to deterring future offending and showing the community that disregard for the law will not go unpunished. This matter highlights how difficult but important a task that is.”
RSPCA NSW would like to remind the community that if you have any concerns about an animal’s welfare, please call our cruelty hotline on 1300 278 358.
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