Phil Tripp sentenced for animal cruelty in Coffs Harbour court

A man who has been banned from owning a pet after he drowned a family’s cat in a bin was described in court as an animal lover who would suffer separation anxiety without his parrot.

A Coffs Harbour man who caused outrage in sections of the community after drowning a pet cat has learned of his fate.

Protesters with signs calling for “justice for Mango” stood outside Coffs Harbour court on Monday morning in the lead up to the sentencing of 71-year-old Phil Tripp, who pleaded guilty to animal cruelty.

The case was launched in July after photos were shared on social media showing a cat in a metal cage, before it was drowned in a garbage bin.

Police were alerted to the photos by members of the public and Tripp was arrested and charged with torture, beat etc and cause death of animal.

He was released on conditional bail and later entered a guilty plea.

In their submission, the police prosecutor urged the magistrate to sentence Tripp to jail saying the “reprehensible” act had left a family without a pet.

The court heard Tripp had trapped the animal after seeing it on his CCTV camera, and believed it was a feral cat.

He set up the cage with cat food inside and after trapping the cat he submerged it in the garbage bin full of water.

He then posted a photo on social media labelling it as the “first feral cat of the season”.

It was heard however that the cat was actually a lost pet, which was identified after the body was taken by police to the RSPCA.

“With the family members actively working in the community putting up missing posters, only to learn the fate of the cat, is cruel,” they said.

The prosecution further urged Mr Rodgers to make an order disqualifying Tripp from owning or purchasing an animal for the next five years.

Tripp’s solicitor however argued against this, telling the court that Tripp has had a pet parrot for two decades and taking the companion animal away would cause separation anxiety for both of them.

He said the Coffs local of 20 years had no criminal history and had led an “illustrious” career in publishing, which included being behind a pet welfare magazine called Urban Animal.

The magazines, which were published along the east coast for over five years, featured articles written by Tripp on pet care.

“The paradox is he’s been an animal lover all his life and continues to have a parrot as a companion for over 23 years,” they said.

Despite this, magistrate Ian Rodgers said the offence was “abhorrent” and agreed to disqualify Tripp from owning a pet.

He however did not sentence him to jail, taking into account several factors including his poor health following two heart surgeries as well as his remorse which was detailed in character references tendered to the court.

“It’s simply an illogical series of events in terms of being concerned of the effect on native animals, and then committing such an act of animal cruelty,” he said.

He was convicted and given a nine-month intensive corrections order and 100 hours of community service, however Tripp has lodged an appeal which will be heard in the District Court in coming months.

Joan Lloyd and Gail McDonald stood outside Coffs Harbour court on Monday.

It came after protesters Joan Lloyd and Gail McDonald stood outside the courthouse holding signs which also included images of the cat in the cage before it was drowned.

They made reference to the change.org petition calling for the “full force of the law” and the “maximum penalty” to be imposed.

As of Monday morning it had 37,724 signatures.

“Coffs Harbour is outraged and we want justice for this poor cat and all other cats that have been subject to cruelty,” Gail said outside the court.

“This is not acceptable to most Coffs residents – the petition is proof of that.”

Ahead of his sentencing, Mr Rodgers alerted the parties that the court had received an email with attachments titled “Dear Magistrate Rodgers” from a member of the public.

Mr Rodgers said he stopped reading it immediately after he realised the contents related to Tripp’s sentencing.

“Members of the public should be, and are, interested in what goes on in the courts … but I can’t take (the letter) into account,” he said.

“The person who wrote it doesn’t have standing in the proceedings. I can only take in what is admissible.”

A photo of the cat posted on social media.