Pamela Preece spared jail over failing to seek vet treatment for dog’s rockmelon-sized tumour

She said she could not afford to have her dog’s rockmelon-sized tumour treated and also feed her children. Today, she was spared jail for animal cruelty – because her children need her.

Lucifer was found emaciated and affected by a cancerous growth. Picture: RSPCA.

• ‘I had to choose between my dog and my kids’, woman claims

A woman who failed to get vet treatment for her dog’s “rockmelon-sized” groin tumour has been spared jail because she is a carer for her severely disabled child.

On Wednesday, the Christies Beach Magistrates Court convicted Pamela Preece of animal cruelty and placed her on a $1000 good behaviour bond.

Magistrate Sue O’Conner further banned Preece from owning any more animals, but allowed her to keep the cat, budgie and two guinea pigs she already possesses.

Preece had claimed she could not afford to pay for vet care and feed her children – outside court, RSPCA chief inspector Andrea Lewis said that was no excuse.

“We recommend people look into getting pet insurance as a way to cover sudden, unexpected vet bills,” she said.

“Timely veterinary advice can not only save your animal’s life and prevent suffering, it can also ultimately save you large bills (by) having conditions treated in their early stages.”

Preece claimed she could not afford both vet treatment for Lucifer, above, and food for her children. Picture: RSPCA.

Preece, of Port Noarlunga South, pleaded guilty to ill-treating her Staffie/Mastiff cross, Lucifer, between April and August last year.

She faced a maximum $20,000 fine or two years’ jail.

Last month, the court heard Lucifer was emaciated and had a 600g cancerous growth that had “completely encompassed” its groin and was “leaking foul-smelling, necrotic liquid”.

The RSPCA alleged that would have developed slowly and consistently over six months, but counsel for Preece insisted Lucifer was “still playing” and showed “no signs of illness”.

On Wednesday, the court heard evidence from RSPCA chief veterinarian Dr Brad Ward.

“The tumour was the size of a rockmelon,” he said.

“It caused significant wasting and, because it was ulcerated and bleeding, the dog was also anaemic.

“It was obvious this dog’s suffering had been both severe and prolonged.”

Magistrate Sue O’Conner said the offending was very serious, given how easily Lucifer’s suffering could have been avoided.