Animal abuse, neglect rampant in Central Queensland’s Rockhampton, Gladstone, Emerald as RSPCA urges residents to speak out

Some of the state’s most infamous animal abuse cases were committed right here in Central Queensland, as the RSPCA warns abuse and neglect are more common than you think. Warning: graphic content

Horror cases of animal cruelty, including 41 horses shot dead and a goose mowed down in a golf cart, have occurred in recent years as we put the spotlight on some of Central Queensland’s alleged animal abusers.

At least 276 reported incidents of animal abuse occurred across the region in 2021, spanning from unspeakable acts against vulnerable animals to general neglect and mistreatment.

Exclusive RSPCA data obtained by this publications shows an increase of reported abuse in 2021 for Central Queensland and lays bare some distressing details of crimes committed by brazen offenders.

See our list of infamous animal abusers in Central Queensland below.

RSPCA Queensland spokeswoman Emma Lagoon said while there were extreme cases of abuse and animal cruelty, it was “thankfully” far less common than general animal neglect and welfare complaints.

“Commonly our inspectors investigate welfare concerns that relate to animals left tied up, animals that haven’t received appropriate food, water or shelter, and animals that haven’t received veterinary treatment for illness or injuries, or animals being abandoned,” Ms Lagoon said.

“If you need help with an animal, please reach out for help before it’s too late … if members of the community have an animal welfare concern they can report it directly to the RSPCA via 1300 ANIMAL (1300 264 625) for emergencies.”

Ms Lagoon said in Central Queensland, reported animal abuse cases were steady in 2021 year-on-year but some suburbs, including Kawana in Rockhampton, had a slight rise.

Rockhampton topped the list for the greatest number of reported animal abuse complaints in the Central Queensland region with 145 reports in 2021 alone.

Suburbs within Rockhampton which appeared most frequently included Gracemere (75), Beserker (63), and Kawana (47).

Elsewhere, there were reported and or investigated animal abuse cases in Gladstone (58), Emerald (33), Moura (12) and 14 in both Calliope and Yeppoon.

In comparison, the Mackay region recorded 205 complaints in the same time period, with 55 in Sarina and 45 in Andergrove.

Animal abuse cases in Central Queensland

Longreach

41 horses shot dead on farmland

A Mount Isa man was arrested and charged after 41 horses, including pregnant mares and foals, were allegedly found shot dead on a property in outback Queensland, near Longreach.

Christopher John Anderson was granted bail in August last year after he was charged with one count each of injuring animals, serious animal cruelty, unlawful possession of weapons, possessing or acquiring restricted items, discharge of a weapon on private land without the owner’s consent, and unlawfully entering farm land.

Investigations into the alleged slaughter continue with detectives believing the incident was not random and Anderson did not act alone when, as police allege, several people trespassed onto the farm between Tuesday, August 3 and Wednesday, August 4.

35 horses were allegedly shot dead in a mass slaughter, including pregnant mares and foals - were found with multiple gunshot wounds on a property 60km north of Longreach. Photo Supplied QLD Police

Gladstone

Owners dump kittens in box with no air

Last year, two “shocking” acts of animal cruelty occurred on Gladstone’s streets when within 48 hours two instances of someone dumping kittens in boxes with “little to no air” occurred.

In one case, the Gladstone Animal Rescue Group attended a box with five kittens abandoned on Boyles Rd, at Yarwun, and in the other a cat and a number of kittens were dumped behind Goondoon St offices.

GARC president, Judy Whicker said it was “absolutely devastating” a person could do such a thing.

Man banned after striking dog with pipe

A Gladstone man was banned from owning a dog for a year after he pleaded guilty to beating a dog with a length of poly pipe.

Anthony Phillip Carroll, 46, pleaded guilty to three counts of animal cruelty at Gladstone Magistrates Court after he was caught beating his dog with a length of poly pipe.

SURRENDERED: Kelpie cross General was found a new home.

The dog, a nine-month-old black and tan kelpie cross named General, was confiscated by RSPCA inspectors in January after they received reports Mr Carroll had been seen or heard beating the dog with the pipe three times in a week.

Carroll was fined $2500 in total for the three offences and found him liable for $2999.24 in the RSPCA‘s operational costs.

Middlemount

Teens filmed as they mow down geese in golf cart

Teenagers filmed their destructive rampage that ended in one resident goose of the local golf course killed, and another injured.

The teens used a hired golf cart at the Middlemount Golf and Country Club to cause $4500 worth of damage to the course before turning on the beloved geese.

The group was filmed on Snapchat videos they took laughing as they turned their sights to the gaggle.

Mackay-born coal miner Kyle Thomas Poulsen, 20, faced up to a $275,700 fine or three years jail after pleading guilty in Mackay Magistrates Court to animal cruelty over the incident.

In the end, Poulsen was fined $3750 and convictions were not recorded.

Club president Sydney Mills said the group was banned for life from the course and that he didn’t know what was going through the heads of teenagers these days.

“I don’t know what is wrong with kids these days … a helpless animal, to mow it down and laugh at it,” Mr Mills said.

Rockhampton

Clydesdale attacker avoids jail after dangerous ‘prank’

A man, 20, was fined more than $4000 after he doused two horses with a fire extinguisher in Rockhampton in 2018.

Giobi Sydney Geiger had to pay more than $4000 in fines and restitution, and complete 120 hours of community service for an act Magistrate Phillipa Beckinsale described as “stupid”.

The 20-year-old man pleaded guilty in the Rockhampton Magistrates Court in July 2018 to two charges of animal cruelty, one of assault, and one of wilful damage after spraying Rockhampton’s well-known Clydesdales with fire extinguisher powder.

Geiger could have faced prison time for the crimes, and Ms Beckinsale warned he may well have ended up behind bars were it not for the horses‘ calm natures and owner Steven May’s skilled horsemanship.

Geiger said he would also be visiting Mr May’s stables to help clean them as part of his apology.

Woman banned after locking dog in car outside court

A woman who left a young pup locked in her car in direct sunlight on a 32 degree day while she supported her former boyfriend in court had the dog taken off her and was banned from owning an animal for six months.

Kayleen Joyce Fay, 30, pleaded guilty on January 7, 2019 in Rockhampton Magistrates Court to one count of animal cruelty.

Police prosecutor Clancy Fox said police were called to East St, out the front of the Rockhampton courthouse, at 11.40am on December 19 to a distressed puppy locked in a car.

Kayleen Joyce Fay, 30, pleaded guilty in Rockhampton Magistrates Court to one count of animal cruelty.

Emerald

Dog duo bashed, one fatally, in bushland

Animal welfare groups launched a campaign after the tragic discovery of two dogs, one killed and another immobile due to serious injuries in scrub near Emerald.

A blue heeler bashed to death and a red heeler with a broken neck and back were found by two women walking their own dogs at Selma Weir in July 2020.

The horrific discovery prompted the launch of campaign Justice for Red and Blue social media page to get answers and prevent further tragedy.

Officers from Biosecurity Queensland, part of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) started investigating the deaths after a complaint was lodged with the RSPCA, who do not have an inspector in the area.