Arrest warrant for woman charged with animal negligence

It is alleged the woman, who failed to appear in court, failed to give food and water to dogs and puppies.

A Mackay magistrate has issued an arrest warrant for a woman accused of animal negligence. Picture: Supplied

AN ARREST warrant has been issued for a Slade Point woman accused of mistreating dogs and puppies after she failed to appear in court.

Michelle Pomfrett was initially facing five offences of animal negligence, but three of the charges have been discontinued.

Mackay Magistrates Court heard in July Pomfrett pleaded guilty to failing to provide food and water to the animals and obstructing an RSPCA officer in January this year.

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She had pleaded not guilty to two counts of failing to provide appropriate accommodation or living conditions and failing to provide appropriate treatment for injury.

Barrister Stephen Byrne, for the RSPCA, said these charges would be dropped.

Magistrate Bronwyn Hartigan said Pomfrett had a “checkered history” of failing to appear in court and in the past a warrant had been issued.

Mr Byrne told the court the case could be dealt with in Pomfrett’s absence if notice was given, but Ms Hartigan pointed out this meant she would not be able to take her criminal history into account.

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The court heard Pomfrett’s criminal history could impact the severity of any sentence handed down.

With this in mind, Ms Hartigan issued a bail act warrant and marked Pomfrett’s file “no watch house bail”.

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