Linda Peterson and Gregory Peterson in court for animal cruelty
An old german shepherd became so emaciated and infected after her owners split up she had to be put down by the RSPCA. Now those owners have faced the court for their actions.
Police & Courts
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A german shepherd had to be euthanized by the RSPCA after being found in “very poor condition” at a Bundaberg North home.
Linda Peterson, 52, and her former partner, Gregory Peterson, 64, pleaded guilty in the Bundaberg Magistrates Court to five counts each of failing to provide appropriate treatment for injury and one count each of failing to prove appropriate food and water.
The former couple were the owners of a 12-year-old german shepherd named Sheba and had separated around the time Sheba’s condition worsened., the court heard.
An investigation was carried out between April 13 and May 13, 2021 after RSPCA inspectors attended the pair’s Bundaberg North home.
The court was told inspectors found Sheba emaciated and suffering from skin conditions, infections and conjunctivitis while under the sole care of Mr Peterson.
He told inspectors it wasn’t his dog and he was just looking after her, and fed her a burger and ham for dinner the night before.
The RSPCA seized Sheba and decided to euthanize her after finding she had too many underlying conditions.
The lawyer appearing on behalf of the RSPCA told the court it was not okay to leave any animal underweight or untreated because they were old.
“The older the animal, the more care they need after giving us so much conditional love for so many years,” she said.
“There was some intervention previously by the RSPCA before they visited again to check on the dog.
“They went out a number of times to have a look at Sheba but they were told Mr Peterson would treat him himself.”
When the RSPCA questioned Mr Peterson after seizing Sheba, he told them he never treated Sheba and couldn’t afford to take her to the vet.
He said he had been trying to get his ex-wife, Mrs Peterson, to collect Sheba because it was her dog.
Mrs Peterson claimed she was staying at a caravan park and wasn’t allowed to have an animal on the premises.
She said she went to visit Sheba a number of times, but claimed her husband wouldn’t let her go upstairs to see Sheba in the house.
Mrs Peterson told the court the registration was in her name and felt guilty about Sheba’s condition.
“I thought about putting Sheba down a while ago,” Mrs Peterson said.
“There were times I just couldn’t get over there.
“I’m guilty for the fact and I’ll live the rest of my life with this guilt.
“All day and night I keep thinking about her all the time.”
Photos were provided to magistrate Edwina Rowan to show the extent of the offending.
“She was in very poor condition,” Ms Rowan said.
“The community takes the care of animals very seriously.”
Linda and Gregory Peterson were each convicted and fined $2500 with a 50 per cent loyalty to the RSPCA, referred to SPER.
They were additionally each fined $250 worth of professional costs to the RSPCA and $105.35 for court costs.
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