Matthew Coulter and Kylie Coulter forbidden of owning animals after pleading guilty to starving two dogs

A couple who let two of their family dogs starve in a shocking case of neglect, while a third dog thrived, have learnt their fate. WARNING: Graphic images.

An Oaklands Parks couple have been forbidden from owning animals until further notice after two of their dogs were found with their ribs ‘protruding’, a court has heard.

Both Matthew Coulter, 44, and Kylie Coulter, 39, pleaded guilty to ill-treatment of an animal at the Christies Beach Magistrate Court, after an inspecting officer found their female and male mastiff crosses, named Scooby and Duncan, in an emaciated state in 2020.

WARNING: This article includes images some may find distressing.

Kylie Coulter, 39. Picture: Facebook

Matthew Coulter, 44. Picture: Facebook

Magistrate Teresa Anderson said the couple had failed to provide appropriate and adequate food for the dogs between May 29 and June 19.

For the RSPCA, Jillian Smith said the inspecting officer found Scooby at the lowest body score a dog could have at a one out of nine while Duncan was found at 1.5 out of nine.

Brad Dittmar, for the Coulters, had previously told the court the couple was struggling financial due to the impacts of the pandemic leading to the offending.

In her sentencing remarks, Magistrate Anderson acknowledged they were loving animal people, but had become a victim to their circumstances.

Scooby at the time of seizure. Picture: Supplied by RSPCA

Scooby at the time of seizure. Picture: Supplied by RSPCA

“I am certain that you and your wife love your dogs but the issue is are you able to look after them as they deserve to be looked after?” Magistrate Anderson asked.

“Their ribs were protruding, they had a sunken and wasted appearance.

“These dogs and their body conditions were such that they weren’t too far off death.”

In submission, Ms Smith asked Coulter’s third dog Luna, 4, who remained in their care to also be surrendered, despite her current healthy lifestyle.

Magistrate Anderson sentence the couple to six weeks imprisonment suspended on a 12 month good behaviour bond.

Duncan at the time of seizure. Picture: Supplied by RSPCA

The Coulter’s were also fined an total of $4894 with Magistrate Anderson ordering Luna be surrendered and prohibited them from owning any animals until further order.

RSPCA SA Chief Inspector Andrea Lewis said the case highlights the need for people to be realistic about their capacity to keep an animal in good health.

“These are very big dogs with equally big needs for daily nutrition, and to maintain them in good body condition is a costly exercise that would be beyond many people’s budgets,” Inspector Lewis said.

“Whether it’s financial hardship or something else that’s preventing someone from adequately caring for their pets, taking action to rehome or surrender the animal has to happen before their health deteriorates.

“To stand by as an animal in your care becomes skeletal and not intervene is unacceptable by any measure.”