Appeal Dismissed: Broken Hill Woman Convicted of Animal Cruelty towards 13 Pet Rhodesian Ridgebacks and Rottweilers, including one Found Deceased in Trailer Posted on May 17, 2024 WARNING – GRAPHIC AND DISTRESSING IMAGES A 52-year-old Broken Hill woman has had her appeal to the District Court dismissed in Broken Hill following a plea of guilty to six offences of animal cruelty. Sitting at Broken Hill District Court, Judge Pickering SC dismissed the severity appeal but varied the woman’s sentence to commence from 11 March 2024. He imposed two concurrent Intensive Corrections Orders to be served in the community, subject to conditions that the woman be of good behaviour, accept the supervision of the Broken Hill Community Corrections office and engage with her doctor to comply with appropriate psychological treatment. The Judge also confirmed two-year Community Corrections Orders for the remaining four offences, subject to the same conditions. Orders forfeiting seven Ridgeback cross breed dogs, the payment of veterinary treatment costs to RSPCA NSW in the sum of $27 054.19 and a two-year disqualification order were also confirmed. On 30 June 2022, NSW Police officers, at the request of RSPCA NSW, responded to a cruelty complaint at a Broken Hill property regarding an alleged deceased dog. Upon arrival, Police and local RSPCA NSW veterinary staff met the defendant who, when advised of their reason for attendance, told Police she was unaware of a deceased dog in her backyard. One of the dogs, a Rhodesian Ridgeback, pictured in extremely poor body condition and living in unhygienic conditions. A total of 13 Rhodesian Ridgebacks and Rottweilers, in extremely poor body condition and suffering from various health problems, were found in several locations on the property, including: Five dogs roaming around the yard, which was covered in faecal matter, with no access to bedding or shelter. Three dogs inside horse stables that contained a build-up of faeces, with no access to water or bedding. Two dogs inside small wire cages, with no access to bedding, fresh water, or food. Two dogs locked inside a transport trailer covered in urine and faecal matter, with no access to any food or fresh water, apart from a beer keg that had been cut in half with murky green liquid inside. One dog on a small patio, with no access to bedding or shelter. Six horses and several cats were also found on the property. One of the dogs in the trailer was a male Rottweiler, who was found standing in a mix of liquified faecal matter and urine that he was unable to escape from. The dog was in very poor body condition, with his ribs, spine, and hip bones visibly prominent and noticeable muscle wastage around his face, neck, front, and rear legs. He appeared to be in visible pain, limping on his red and swollen paws, when he was removed from the trailer. The second dog inside the trailer was a deceased male Rhodesian Ridgeback, named ‘Safari’. The animal was stiff to touch and appeared to be in rigor mortis, with the entire left side of his body covered in a mix of faecal matter and urine. Despite previously denying to Police that she knew Safari was deceased in the trailer, the defendant became visibly distressed and stated that she had known the dog was dead, stating “I was too busy with work, and I did not have time to bury my dog. I feel bad”. Phila, the Rhodesian Ridgeback, was extremely underweight upon arrival into RSPCA NSW care. Phila, now healthy, after being in the care of RSPCA NSW for several months. All 13 dogs, including Safari’s body, were seized from the property and transported to the RSPCA NSW Broken Hill Veterinary Hospital, where they were treated urgently for the following conditions: Poor body condition (some emaciated 5/5) – 9 dogs Dehydration – 8 dogs Internal parasites (hookworm) – 5 dogs Fly-bite dermatitis – 5 dogs Otitis Externa (ear infections) – 3 dogs Tail injury – 1 dog Infected wound – 1 dog Severe Interdigital Erythema (Pododermatitis) – 1 dog Sadly, three of the Rottweilers were deemed cruel to be kept alive and were humanely euthanised. This was a lengthy matter that involved an unsuccessful mental health application, a sentence in the NSW Local Court, and, finally, a severity appeal in the NSW District Court. As with every matter, RSPCA NSW takes seriously its obligation to see these matters through, no matter how long they take. In dismissing the appeal, the District Court Judge remarked “It’s not a right to own animals, it’s a privilege.” “Every companion animal deserves the right to fresh water, food, and shelter, and for their basic hygiene requirements to be met,” said RSPCA NSW Chief Inspector, Scott Meyers. “Defendants are entitled to appeal sentences imposed to the District Court as of right, however the dismissal of this appeal confirms the seriousness with which Local Courts all over NSW treat offences of animal cruelty every day.” Five of the dogs have successfully been rehomed and found their forever families. The remaining four were transferred to a rescue organisation. Delilah was in poor body condition and extremely frightened upon arrival. Delilah, after receiving treatment and care from RSPCA NSW. WARNING – GRAPHIC AND DISTRESSING IMAGES are available for download here. All charges brought under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.
