Middleton parents sentenced in court for starving two dogs for months

Two parents who run a cleaning business and have six kids have been slammed in court for starving their pet dogs for months.

A magistrate has ripped into two parents for starving their dogs, saying it was “absolutely astounding” they couldn’t see how sick they were.

The “exhausted” mum and dad, who run a Middleton cleaning business, were convicted in the Victor Harbor Magistrates Court on Monday for starving the dogs for months, saying they were too tired to properly care for the two dogs.

The man and woman, both 32, who have six children, both plead guilty to two counts of ill-treatment of an animal, telling the court they had no idea how their pets got so emaciated.

The dogs, an eight-year-old male border collie named Ash, and a four-year-old female Great Dane named Oreo were struggling to walk when RSPCA inspectors attended the couple’s Middleton property in August 2024 after receiving a cruelty report.

A border collie and a great dane, two dogs seized by the RSPCA from a Middleton couple. Picture: RSPCA

The two dogs were seized in August last year. Picture: RSPCA

Both dogs were taken to the RSPCA’s vet clinic at O’Halloran Hill, where they were given body condition scores of one out of nine, indicating they were in extremely emaciated states.

The dogs were believed to have been in that state for between four to six months.

Both dogs made full recoveries and were eventually adopted by RSPCA SA foster carers who helped to nurse them back to health.

The court heard neither defendant could explain how they allowed the dogs to starve, other than to say that between running a cleaning business and caring for six children they had been exhausted.

They accepted they had failed the animals.

An RSPCA vet with Ash the border collie after he was rescued. Picture: RSPCA

An RSPCA vet with Oreo the Great Dane. Picture: RSPCA

Oreo was emaciated when she was rescued. Picture: RSPCA

“It is absolutely astounding that you could not look out the window and see those dogs suffering and it is horrifying that your six children witnessed that,” Magistrate Joanna Martin said.

“Dogs are helpless. They are trapped in our yards and reliant upon us completely for their

food, water and care.

“This is devastating, animals deserve to be protected and nourished. You should have surrendered them if you could not care for them.”

Ms Martin convicted both and sentenced each to a two-year good behaviour bond in the amount of $500.

They were ordered to pay the RSPCA $6100 in animal care and boarding costs and $387 in legal costs.

They are banned from owning animals apart from a cat and a lizard.

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Originally published as Middleton parents sentenced in court for starving two dogs for months