Jessica Renae Neilson misses court on ill-treatment of her Staffies

Her dogs were seized by the RSPCA with protruding ribs and hips, then the woman accused of mistreating them didn’t even call to get them back, a court has been told.

A Para Vista mother accused of ill-treating her two pet staffies, Carmel and Sarge, left them in cages with the RSPCA after they were seized, a court has heard.

Since her dogs were seized in April, Jessica Renae Neilson, 27, has had a “series of non-attendances” in court and on Monday a warrant was issued for her arrest.

Ms Neilson was supposed to have appeared at the Elizabeth Magistrates Court on Monday on two counts of ill-treating Carmel and Sarge as well a criminal charge of theft.

The court heard the RSPCA had absorbed more than $12,000 in costs for the care of the staffies in that time, and Ms Neilson had made “no inquiries” having the dogs returned to her.

While one of her staffies had since managed to secure a temporary foster carer, another was still at the RSPCA shelter.

Jessica Renae Neilson faces two counts of ill treating her pet staffies. Picture: Facebook

Magistrate David White described the dogs’ situation, that they were in the care of the RSPCA indefinitely, as upsetting.

“The future of the dogs is uncertain, which is terrible,” Mr White said.

Photos taken by the RSPCA upon the seizure of Carmel and Sarge, and submitted to the court, showed the dogs severely emaciated.

Both dogs had protruding ribs, hips and eye sockets and their necks were so thin their collars were ill-fitting.

One of Jessica Neilson’s emaciated staffies. Picture: Elizabeth Magistrates Court

Simon Perrie, for the RSPCA, said there were concerns about holding the staffies in mass dog shelters.

“Long-term placements in shelters … is a suboptimal environment,” he said.

Mr White ordered for the dogs to be forfeited permanently to the RSPCA so they could be adopted out.

Mr White excluded police bail for Ms Neilson’s impending warrant.