‘Rotting tissue, maggots’: Brisbane woman fined over animals’ horror injuries

A woman who neglected her animals’ injuries after a vicious dog attack and lied about what happened has been fined thousands of dollars and banned from owning pets. WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGES

A woman who neglected her chickens’ injuries after a dog attack has been fined thousands of dollars and banned from owning pets.

Tamika Bates, 37, of Stafford Heights, today pleaded guilty to two counts of failing to provide appropriate treatment for injury.

The court heard the offences occurred between April 18 and April 25, and May 14 and May 21 last year in relation to two chickens.

The injured chickens had to be euthanised.

The injured chickens had to be euthanised.

The RSPCA became aware of the issue after a complaint form a neighbour.

Barrister Peter O’Connor, for the RSPCA, said when the chickens were seized Bates told inspectors the injuries had been inflicted by “by a prowler or a neighbour that was seen in her yard with a knife”.

“The expert evidence from the veterinarians was that certainly the injuries were consistent with a dog attack,” he said.

A dog in Bates’ yard had been seen chasing the chickens around, he said.

“The wounds exhibited … necrotic tissue which is effectively rotting tissue which is no longer attempting to heal itself.

“One of the chickens in fact having maggot eggs within the wound.”

Mr O’Connor said the chickens “were suffering quite tremendously” and were euthanised on humane grounds.

The court heard Bates had some mental health issues at the time.

The injured chickens had to be euthanised.

The injured chickens had to be euthanised.

Mr O’Connor submitted a penalty of $8000.

Defence lawyer Gordon Harris said his client was 37, had no criminal history and was deeply remorseful for the neglect.

“Our client unreservedly apologises for failing to provide care in this case,” he said.

Mr Harris said Bates was on a pension and lived in a housing commission, suggesting the fine should be $5000.

The injured chickens had to be euthanised.

The injured chickens had to be euthanised.

Magistrate Shane Elliott said Bates’ criminality was in not getting assistance for the chickens “because that would have caused severe pain for them”.

Bates was fined $5000 and no convictions were recorded.

Mr Elliott prohibited her from owning an animal for three years.