RSPCA South Australia is urging owners of pregnant dogs and dogs that have unweaned puppies to recognise their animals’ increased need for nutrition, following a cruelty case that finalised recently in the Elizabeth Magistrates Court.
A woman was prosecuted on two charges of ill-treatment of an animal after a female dog named Lola and her five puppies were found in emaciated condition at a northern suburbs property in March this year.
On examination by RSPCA SA’s veterinary team, two-year-old Lola was found to have a body condition score (BCS) of 2/9 (A healthy BCS is 5/9).
Three of Lola’s five puppies, then aged six weeks, were found to have BCS of 1/9, indicating extreme emaciation. The remaining two puppies were also severely underweight, with BCS of 2/9.
The defendant expressed remorse for her failure to properly feed her animals. She plead guilty and was given a 12-month good behaviour bond, without conviction. She was forbidden from owning any animals other than two other adult dogs, both of which were in good body condition.
In the Elizabeth Magistrates Court last Friday, Magistrate Lana Chester made orders for the forfeiture of the mother dog, Lola, and her five puppies. All six animals regained healthy weights when provided with adequate and appropriate food in RSPCA’s care. They were all rehomed, with Lola being adopted by her foster carer following the dog’s forfeiture to RSPCA.
RSPCA SA Chief Inspector Andrew Baker said the case highlights the need to ensure pets are desexed to prevent unplanned pregnancies from occurring1.
“This case is also a reminder that a lactating female dog such as Lola has much higher nutritional needs than normal,” Inspector Baker said.
“Failing to meet those needs will result in the kind of shocking weight loss we saw in this dog and her puppies, and is a clear breach of the laws governing dog breeding in SA.
“Before anyone breeds dogs they should not only be registered but also have the animal husbandry skills and knowledge required to maintain their animals in peak health.”
Under SA’s Animal Welfare Act, the maximum penalty for animal cruelty is $20,000 or two years’ imprisonment. For an aggravated cruelty offence, the maximum penalty is $50,000 or four years’ imprisonment.
RSPCA South Australia is the state’s only animal welfare charity with inspectors empowered to prosecute animal cruelty under SA’s Animal Welfare Act.
Members of the public who witness animal cruelty or neglect are urged to immediately call RSPCA’s 24-hour cruelty report hotline on 1300 477 722.
