Shaun Leonard Walsh in Gympie court for animal cruelty

A former sawmill worker has faced his punishment after having his three dogs taken away from him for animal cruelty, including leaving one of them trapped in a car for an entire day.

A former sawmill worker had his dogs taken away from him for animal cruelty when he left them trapped in a car.

Shaun Leonard Walsh, 38, pleaded guilty in Gympie Magistrates Court on Thursday, December 1 2022, to one count of failing to provide for an animal’s needs and one count of using a phone to threaten or harass.

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The court heard that on July 7, he left a dog locked inside a car for an entire day with no fresh air or water.

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He also left a dog with puncture wounds untreated, the court heard.

Police prosecutor Melissa Campbell said it had been an ongoing issue.

She told the court animals were extremely vulnerable within the community as “they don’t have a voice” and must be protected.

Duty lawyer Jamiee Burns said Walsh has been on a pension from the age of 16 and was working at a sawmill in Imbil during the time of offending.

She said Walsh felt overwhelmed by his job and couldn’t manage caring for his dogs and working full time.

Out of the four dogs Walsh owned, three of them were taken away by RSPCA, leaving only one which he had owned for eight years.

The RSPCA sought $2005 in compensation, the court heard.

The victim regarding the harassment offence was Walsh’s landlord of nine years to whom he apologised to and is now on good terms again, Ms Burns said.

Walsh was given 150 hours of community service, ordered to pay the full sum of compensation and a sum of $250 to police.

He was also prohibited from getting a new animal without RSPCA approval for two years.

Convictions were recorded.