Elizabeth Alice Verhagen sentenced after animal mistreatment charges

A Lockyer Valley dog breeder says she will appeal a decision handed down in court where she was slapped with $41,000 in costs and a five-year prohibition order for a list of animal neglect charges.

Elizabeth Alice Verhagen, on trial for animal mistreatment allegations in Ipswich Court.

A Lockyer Valley dog breeder has been banned from breeding animals for half a decade after she was sentenced in court for 31 neglect-related charges.

Elizabeth Alice Verhagen, 62, appeared in Ipswich Magistrate Court on Tuesday 18, 2023 for a reserved decision on her charges.

Verhagen pleaded not guilty at a trial on August 11, 2022.

However, she was later found guilty by a magistrate.

Verhagen had 31 charges before the court on Tuesday 18, including: seven counts of failure to provide appropriate accommodation or living conditions; 12 counts of failure to provide appropriate treatment for injury; eight counts of failure to provide appropriate food and water; one count of cruelty to an animal by causing unnecessary or unreasonable harm; one count of failure to comply with animal welfare direction; and two counts of failure to comply with compulsory code of requirement - code of practice for breeding dogs.

During the trial on August 16, 2022, the court heard of Verhagen’s indecent care of dogs on the property.

Elizabeth Verhagen leaving Ipswich Courthouse on April 13, 2023. Picture: Nicola McNamara

The court heard during the trial in 2022, how three dogs in Verhagen‘s care were flea-ridden, thin and had dental disease.

The court heard Verhagen also used a scalpel and inadequate numbing cream to remove a large lump from beneath one dog’s skin.

In court on July 18, Verhagen said her disability pension went to looking after her animals on her 4ha property.

She had since moved back to her house after living in a caravan for a year.

The court heard she was still permitted, after a Department of Agriculture and Fisheries investigation, to care for two golden retrievers, four chihuahuas, a miniature horse, half a dozen miniature goats, six horses, one cat and several free-roaming guineafowls.

“Throughout the submissions by the prosecution, constantly it came up I was incompetent of providing adequate care to my animals and that if the animals were to be left in my care or some given back that, they would be subjected to harm – if that was actually true the RSPCA would have never returned the animals to me, but they did,” Verhagen said in court.

“This is why I have appealed the conviction in the district court, because I will get the opportunity to put the proof forward and substantiate that they were false statements that mislead you into thinking what you thought.

“All dogs have dental disease.

“You know, things the RSPCA have made huge big deal about are quite normal.”

Magistrate Rob Turra said Verhagen had a lack of remorse.

“What is mitigating for this offence, however, is that the offence was brought to the attention of the RSPCA entirely as a consequence of the admissions by Ms Verhagen,” Magistrate Turra said.

“My determination of guilt is based on thorough consideration of the facts.

“Of the matters, the charge of animal cruelty is the most serious (offence) …”

The court heard Magistrate Turra accepted Verhagen’s dog breeding was a hobby, not a business, as the RSPCA claimed in their submissions.

“But there was some commercial element as puppies were sold for their perhaps not for profit.

“It is apparent Ms Verhagen has shown no remorse for the offending and maintains she has been victimised or targeted by the RSPCA.”

Magistrate Turra concluded that prison time would not be appropriate for the defendant as a letter from Verhagen’s doctor stated it would significantly affect her mental health.

Magistrate Turra acknowledged Verhagen would struggle to pay a hefty amount of money as she is on a disability pension.

“She lacks the capacity to appropriately care for a large number of animals that she choose to keep within a breeding environment.”

Verhagen received an 18 month probation order and a prohibition order where she cannot breed or purchase any animal for commercial use for the next five years.

She was ordered to pay costs totalling $41,438.52, encompassing $32,233.52 to the RSPCA for the costs incurred in providing care to the animals, $9,000 for the RSPCA’s legal costs, and $205 for the cost of summons.