RSPCA seize 86 dogs and other animals from puppy breeder Kerrie Maree Fitzpatrick months after she avoided jail for animal cruelty
A puppy breeder who narrowly avoided jail for animal cruelty offences is in the sights of the RSPCA after they allegedly made a shocking find at her Lewiston property.
Police & Courts
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A puppy breeder who narrowly avoided jail for animal cruelty offences has now had almost 100 animals seized from her property.
On Tuesday, RSPCA inspectors and police attended banned puppy breeder Kerrie Maree Fitzpatrick’s Lewiston property, where they seized 86 dogs, including puppies, three rabbits and two guinea pigs.
The dogs included border collies and cross breed dogs.
Inspectors swooped on the Pederick Rd property about 9.30am after a tip-off from the public, executing a warrant and seizing the animals during an operation which lasted most of Tuesday.
In July, Fitzpatrick narrowly avoided jail after being found guilty of animal cruelty offences over the mistreatment of 300 dogs.
She was handed a suspended three-month sentence, fined $5000 and banned from owning any animal aside from the two dogs, four rabbits and seven budgerigars she owned as pets.
It is understood the RSPCA is reviewing the evidence, including documents and electronic evidence, to determine if charges will be laid.
RSPCA South Australia Chief Inspector Andrew Baker said Fitzpatrick had been “on our radar for some time”.
“Ms Fitzpatrick was on the premises yesterday and we will be alleging that she is the sole owner of the property and that the dogs were in her custody, which puts her in breach of her court order,” Mr Baker said.
A controversial puppy breeder who narrowly avoided jail for animal cruelty offences is once again under investigation. Almost 100 dogs have been seized from her Lewiston property months after she was banned from owning animals. @laurenrose7#7NEWSpic.twitter.com/1RdZTv3298
— 7NEWS Adelaide (@7NewsAdelaide) October 18, 2023
The animals were assessed at the RSPCA’s Lonsdale shelter, which is now over capacity.
Fitzpatrick was convicted of 16 animal cruelty offences after a trial in April.
The Adelaide Magistrates Court heard Fitzpatrick had multiple prior convictions in Victoria, totalling $85,000 in fines and a 20-year ban on working as a breeder.
During Fitzpatrick’s sentencing in July, Magistrate Karim Soetratma said she had not learnt the lessons she should have from the Victorian convictions.
“Because if there was anyone who should have been obsessed about not being involved in a dog-selling business unless and until you could comply with all regulatory requirements it was you,” he said.
Mr Soetratma said RSPCA inspectors had found pups in “makeshift mesh wire pens” wired shut atop “a thick sludgy build-up of mud, faeces and urine”.
The animals had “no dry bedding, water” or “things to stimulate and entertain” them, with pups “sitting in empty containers in order to get off the mesh.”
The dogs, he said, were “drooling and trembling”, seemed “quite stressed and anxious” and “displayed compulsive behaviours” and “a five-week-old possibly born with no eyes”.
In 2021, Fitzpatrick’s partner Colin Ross was fined $8000 for the treatment of the 300 dogs at the property after pleading guilty to six counts of failing to comply with the direction of an animal welfare notice in July 2019 and ill-treating 10 border collies.
Anyone with information that could assist the investigation is urged to contact the RSPCA on 1300477722.
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