A MOUNT Gambier man has narrowly avoided jail after he ill-treated two dogs left in his care, leading to a fatal discovery by an RSPCA inspector.
Regan Howe, 61, appeared in the Mount Gambier Magistrates Court yesterday afternoon to be sentenced for the animal welfare charges.
The prosecution said inspectors from the RSPCA attended the address Howe was living at after receiving a cruelty complaint.
Howe was not present at the address, however after noticing a deceased Staffordshire Terrier cross in the rear yard, the inspector began searching the premises.
The dog was described as “severely emaciated” and analysis determined it had died from a severe case on pneumonia.
The prosecution said pneumonia was caused by the defendant’s neglect of the dog, which led to severe dehydration and a bacterial infection.
Another dog, an American Bulldog cross was found alive in a confined room covered in urine and faeces.
The dog had also been chronically neglected and was seized by the inspectors.
It has since returned to good health after veterinary treatment and appropriate care.
The court heard Howe was not the owner of the dogs, however had agreed to take them into his care.
The prosecution said Howe received payments between $20 and $50 fortnightly from the dogs owner to buy food.
Defence counsel said his client thought some of the money was to help pay for his own medication.
“I’m not submitting that he was the perfect carer, but he was feeding the dogs on an irregular basis,” the defendant’s lawyer said.
Magistrate Teresa Anderson said the defendant had to be aware the dogs were not getting enough to eat.
“These are serious offences, ill-treating cannot get any worse than not providing sufficient food or water,” Magistrate Anderson said.
“It is impossible that you did not notice these dogs were going downhill.”
The defendant’s lawyer said his client accepted the terrible condition of the dogs were as a result of his actions.
Magistrate Anderson sentenced Howe to four months and one week imprisonment, which was suspended on him entering a $500 12-month good behaviour bond.
He was also ordered to pay RSPCA South Australia legal and veterinary fees totalling $569.15.
In addition to the penalties, Howe is banned from owning or having custody of any animals until further notice.
RSPCA South Australia chief inspector Andrea Lewis described the case as a tragic reminder of the responsibilities involved when agreeing to take on the care of animals.
“Agreeing to take on responsibility to care for an animal -whether it’s yours or someone else’s -is a decision that should never be taken lightly,” Ms Lewis said.
“Having care and custody of an animal means you have a duty to ensure the animal is properly fed, housed and cared for in a way that maintains them in good health, both physically and psychologically.
“Leaving one dog to starve and freeze to death in a backyard and another to starve, locked up in a filthy room, betrayed these animals and their owner, who trusted they were being cared for properly in her absence.”
