Alison Daniels sentenced for ‘repulsive’ animal rescue operation in Para Hills rental

A woman who ran an animal shelter claiming to “prevent or relieve the suffering of animals” has been sentenced for keeping them in “repulsive” conditions.

A woman who mistreated more than 50 animals in her northern suburbs animal rescue will spend no time in jail for the “squalid and repulsive” conditions they were kept in.

On Wednesday, Alison Daniels, 41, appeared in the Elizabeth Magistrates Court for sentencing before Magistrate Christopher Smolicz following her guilty pleas to 20 counts of ill treating animals.

Daniels ran a not-for-profit rescue, Not the End of the Road Animal Rescue, which was brought to the RSPCA’s attention following a cruelty report on August 8, 2021, from an electrician.

Inspectors saw a large number of animals in the front window, and returned with a warrant alongside SAPOL officers, council staff and RSPCA vets.

Alison Daniels, 41 of Para Hills has been sentenced for he, “not malicious but highly negligent”, operation. Picture: Supplied

Dead birds were found around the residence, some in pots and pans. Picture: Supplied by RSPCA

Inside they found more than 50 animals in “terrible” conditions including cats, a lizard, possums, puppies, a dog and native birds – some sick with a highly infectious avian virus.

Many animals had no water or food and were covered in faeces, with some free roaming and others in dirty enclosures and cages.

Inspectors found close to 30 dead birds of differing species – including a tawny frogmouth owl – in varying states of decay around the home.

Simon Perrie for the RSPCA told the court Daniels conduct was not considered “malicious” but was “highly negligent”.

Daniels, who was unrepresented, frequently interrupted Mr Smolicz during sentencing to make her own submissions or to disagree with Mr Perrie’s submissions and facts she had entered pleas for.

She was cautioned on multiple occasions.

The court heard Daniels was “deeply embarrassed” by the condition of her then-home and believed it was in a condition such that “humans should not have been living in the house”.

Inspectors found numerous cats in the same cage in a room of the home, with no food or water. Picture: Supplied by RSPCA

Two young puppies were found in the homes lounge room in a pen. Picture: Supplied by RSPCA

She submitted to the court it was the result of severe storms months prior to the RSPCA’s attendance, which caused power outages, flooding and the kitchen roof to collapse.

The court heard Daniels was having a “mental breakdown” at the time and is homeless, suffering from fibromyalgia, anxiety and depression and suffered physical injuries during the time leading up to her arrest.

Mr Smolicz sentenced Daniels to four months, two weeks imprisonment, discounted to three months and four days and suspended on an 18-month, $500 good behaviour bond.

A court order was made to prohibit her from owning any animals in future – except two pet dogs – and no compensation was ordered for the RSPCA boarding the rescued animals.