Amanda Conroy receives good behaviour bond for mistreatment of two ‘emaciated’ dogs

A Davoren Park mother neglected two dogs who were not fed adequately for several months, a court has heard.

A Davoren Park mother-of-three has received a three-year good behaviour bond for leaving two dogs in a “quite disturbing” state, a court has heard.

Amanda Conroy, 37, pleaded guilty in the Elizabeth Magistrates Court on Monday to two counts of the mistreatment of animals, namely female Staffordshire cross Roxy and male Staffordshire cross Tun.

The court heard she failed to provide adequate food for the dogs between October 8 and November 8, 2019 and were found by the RSPCA to be in an “emaciated condition”.

Amanda Conroy leaves the Elizabeth Magistrates Court in November last year.

On Monday, Magistrate Mark Semmens said Tun was underweight, slightly dehydrated with scabs on his belly while Roxy was also underweight with scabs on her head.

He said medical advice lodged with the court indicated their diets had been “inadequate” for two to three months.

For the RSPCA, Jillian Smith said Conroy had not taken several opportunities to address issues with the dogs’ health.

Tun was seized by RSPCA officers and was found to be underweight. Picture: RSPCA

“The defendant was aware of the consequences of underfeeding or the failure to feed,” Ms Smith said.

She said it was “not the worst case of malnourishment” the agency had seen but the dogs were “lean” and required further nutrition and care.

The mother of three was also forbidden from owning more animals unless she lodged a successful application.

Conroy said the dogs belonged to a former partner who just “packed up and left in the middle of the night” in July of that year.

She said she thought the dogs were being fed appropriately but was “roughly” aware of their declining weight and health.

She said life had been “pretty hard” while she cared for the two dogs with all three of her children having medical conditions.

Roxy was also seized by RSPCA officers following an inspection. Picture: RSPCA

However, Mr Semmens said tendered photos of the dogs were “quite disturbing”.

He handed Conroy a three-year, $3500 good behaviour bond, two convictions and she will have to pay total costs of $1520.

“You are genuinely sorry for what happened,” Mr Semmens said.

“But offences involving animals are serious.

“The community expects a significant penalty for those who mistreat animals.”