Mount Compass man charged over death of cow on his farm

A man has been charged by the RSPCA after a cow drowned in a dam on his farm – as another man is convicted for failing to help his cancerous dog. GRAPHIC IMAGES

A Mount Compass farmer has been charged after a cow drowned in a dam on his property last year.

The 69-year-old man has been charged with ill-treatment of an animal to cause death or serious harm.

The RSPCA has alleged the man failed to take reasonable steps to mitigate serious harm after the cow became stuck shoulder-deep in water in the dam, and that the man left the cow to become exhausted and die.

Under SA’s Animal Welfare Act, the maximum penalty for animal cruelty is $20,000 or two years’ imprisonment. For an aggravated cruelty offence, the maximum penalty is $50,000 or four years’ imprisonment.

The matter is due to be heard for the first time in Victor Harbor Magistrates Court next week.

Meanwhile, a 62-year-old Flagstaff Hill man has been sentenced after his dog was left with painful tumours for months without any care.

The nine-year-old boxer cross named Hudson, was brought into the RSPCA’s care in March last year after being found wandering loose in Flagstaff Hill with two tumours, one outside his body on his chest.

Hudson, a nine-year-old boxer cross, had to be euthanized after he was found due to his condition and poor prognosis.

He had a large, ulcerated tumour covering his chest and another large, pendulous tumour hanging from his right hind leg preventing him walking properly.

The RSPCA said the dog was in a “shocking” condition and he was humanely euthanased.

Magistrate Kylie Schulz sentenced the man to two months jail, reduced from four months because of an early guilty plea. It was suspended and the man entered into a 12-month good behaviour bond, and banned from owning any animals indefinitely.

“(Animals) cannot tell us how much pain they are in, and owners must limit any suffering that their animals endure,” Ms Schulz said.

Hudson, a nine-year-old boxer cross, had to be euthanized after he was found due to his condition and poor prognosis.

“You were misguided in believing your remedies were sufficient rather than the care of a professional.”

RSPCA SA Chief Inspector Andrew Baker said the man had ignored his dog’s obvious need for veterinary treatment.

“This poor dog has been left to endure the full course of cancer for months, with no pain relief – indeed, Hudson received no veterinary attention for almost a year before he came to us,” Inspector Baker said.

“It was just by chance that this desperately ill dog wandered off his owner’s property and was found and brought to our vet team, far too late for them to do anything for him other than stop his pain and distress by humanely euthanasing him.”