Dog breeder pleads not guilty to 27 charges of animal neglect
A South Australian dog breeder allegedly kept two dozen dogs in small cages, but she denies all 27 charges placed by the RSPCA.
SA News
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A dog breeder from Baroota on the Spencer Gulf has pleaded not guilty to 27 counts of animal neglect and will now face trial.
Dora Ryan, 54, appeared before Port Pirie Magistrates Court yesterday facing charges brought upon her by the RSPCA.
In May 2017, a search of Ms Ryan’s property in Baroota, 40km north of Port Pirie, resulted in the seizure of 23 Pomeranians, more than 20 chickens and four German Shepherds.
The 27 charges relate to 17 counts of failing to provide food, water and adequate living conditions, as well as four counts of failing to provide veterinary care.
The court heard that during the search of the property RSPCA inspectors found that the Pomeranians were kept in small enclosures, with up to five dogs in each cage.
The cages also contained large amounts of faeces, rotten bones and a lack of clean water. Several of the dogs were also found to have fleas and other conditions such as discharge from the mouth.
The prosecution told the court that during the inspection a veterinarian was forced to euthanise one of the German Shepherds at the site due to neglect and poor condition.
The three other German Shepherds were later also forced to be euthanized.
Ms Ryan chose to represent herself during the court proceedings and plead not guilty to all 27 charges.
The prosecution stated that this was a clear case of neglect, rather than a case of animal cruelty.
The trial will continue over the next four days, with several witnesses due to give testimony. The maximum sentence for the charges is a $20,000 fine or two years in jail.