A 71-year-old man failed to appear at Mount Druitt Local Court on 13 May 2020 in relation to multiple animal cruelty offences relating to his pet dog Aviary, a white Poodle crossbreed.
The man was convicted in his absence for six counts of failure to provide vet treatment to the dog. The Court imposed fines for each of six charges:
- $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 otitis externa (infection at the ear canals)
- $800 for failing to provide vet treatment for fleas
- $800 for failing to provide vet treatment for the dog’s matted coat
Veterinary care and shelter costs of $6107 were awarded to RSPCA NSW. The man was also banned from purchasing, acquiring, taking possession or custody of any animal for five years.
Facts tendered to the Court indicated that on 1 September 2019, RSPCA inspectors attended a Lethbridge Park home where they found Aviary lying on the ground. The dog required immediate vet treatment and was seized and transported directly to the RSPCA NSW Sydney Veterinary Hospital for examination by a veterinarian. The veterinary report indicated that the dog had numerous health issues which remained untreated for significant periods of time, causing him unnecessary pain, suffering and discomfort.
Aviary’s condition upon seizure.
The vet determined that Aviary was suffering from a Grade 4 dental disease with bone loss and gum recession at the tooth roots, and pus exuding from the root, which was untreated for no less than 21 days prior to examination. He also had inflamed, irritated skin at the perianal region due to faecal scalding, conjunctivitis and otitis externa (ear infections) which had been untreated for at least one week prior to examination. He had a heavy flea burden which had remained untreated for at least three weeks, and a very matted and dirty coat, for which the man failed to provide necessary grooming for at least one month prior to examination.
Aviary made a full recovery under RSPCA NSW care and was adopted into his forever home last year.
Aviary after his recovery.
