Serial puppy farmer Kerrie Maree Fitzpatrick of Lewiston back in court

A banned serial puppy farmer trying to stay out of jail has left court wearing a bizarre head covering – and nearly stepped into the path of a car.

A recidivist puppy farmer starting breeding dogs again months after she was convicted for an abusive breeding set up, a court has heard, and is now trying to avoid a three-month prison term.

Kerrie Maree Fitzpatrick, of Lewiston, appeared in Elizabeth Magistrates Court on Tuesday to finalise her pending files after more than a year of court hearings.

Simon Perrie, for the RSPCA, told Magistrate Edward Stratton-Smith the organisation would be open to Fitzpatrick serving a suspended sentence on home detention, as had been discussed with the woman’s counsel.

Notorious puppy farmer Kerrie Fitzpatrick outside Elizabeth Magistrates Court on Tuesday. Picture: Leah Smith

Kerrie Maree Fitzpatrick has been charged with the ill-treatment of animals. Picture: Supplied

But Mr Stratton-Smith told the court that, because of the sentencing act’s construction, for Fitzpatrick to serve her sentence on home detention, the court would need to find special circumstances to reduce the three\-month sentence – then impose a new one.

Defence said Fitzpatrick’s child – for whom she has sole custody – would be put into care if she was sent to prison, and both parties would need more time to consider their positions and the legislation before she could be sentenced.

Fitzpatrick was found in possession of 86 dogs on a Lewiston property in October 2023, some of which later gave birth to puppies, and the number of dogs “ballooned” to 123.

Fitzpatrick pleaded guilty to one count of failing to comply with a court order, one count of hindering or obstructing an inspector in exercise of powers and breaching a suspended sentence bond.

In July last year, she was found guilty of animal cruelty and 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.

Mr Stratton-Smith said he would be happy to provide additional time to the parties to consider how to deal with the suspended sentence.

Outside court, Fitzpatrick – who had her face covered with a scarf – did not answer questions from media, and almost walked into the path of an oncoming car.

Fitzpatrick will return to court in February next year.