Toowoomba mum Trixie Ann Karoline McMahon sentenced for receiving stolen puppy

The lawyer for a Toowoomba mum involved in the theft of a puppy claimed ‘not much’ could be said to defend her actions.

Trixie Ann Karoline McMahon, 21, sits outside Toowoomba Magistrates Court on October 16, 2024. Picture: Chronicle

A Toowoomba mum dodged serious animal neglect charges despite attempting to leave a newborn puppy with no food or water.

Mum of two Trixie Ann Karoline McMahon, 21, pleaded guilty to receiving tainted property in Toowoomba Magistrates Court on Wednesday after her then-partner stole an eight-week old pug puppy from its breeder last Christmas Eve.

The puppy was found on Christmas morning in a search of the pair’s home, trapped inside a bed frame without means of escape or any food or water.

“It was stuck under the bed at that time in a confined space,” police prosecutor Rohan Brewster-Webb said.

Toowoomba couple Jackson Sharpe and Trixie Ann McMahon pleaded guilty to charges relating to the Christmas Eve theft of a newborn puppy.

“The defendant and co-offender were going to leave the property (with police) knowing that it was still there and they didn’t advise police.”

Another man was also named as a co-offender but was not present at the raid.

Ms McMahon originally pleaded guilty to stealing and breaching a duty of care to the puppy in April this year but was discharged with police offering no evidence to either offence.

Stolen eight-week-old merle pug Rusty, after police recovered him from a Toowoomba home on Christmas morning 2023. Picture: Queensland Police Service

Ms McMahon did not provide any reasoning for her actions.

“There’s not much I can say in regard to that,” her duty lawyer stated when questioned.

He asked the court to consider not recording a conviction for Ms McMahon.

“It’s an early plea to the receiving of the dog on the basis of case conferencing,” he said.

“She only has a very limited, unrelated criminal history.”

Magistrate Kyna Morice said it was likely the couple’s escapades caused significant emotional harm to the puppy’s breeder.

“I’m not told there were any welfare issues with respect to the puppy but … the owner would’ve been incredibly distressed that the puppy she had bred and raised was then taken from her with no idea if it was being looked after,” she said.

Ms McMahon was fined $500 with no conviction recorded.

Originally published as Toowoomba mum Trixie Ann Karoline McMahon sentenced for receiving stolen puppy