Connie Strong: South Grafton woman convicted of assault, animal cruelty after kicking border collie during dispute, spitting
A Grafton mum lashed out and kicked a young border collie after her rabbit was taken to the pet shop, a court has heard.
Police & Courts
Don't miss out on the headlines from Police & Courts. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A South Grafton mum has been convicted of animal cruelty after she became involved in an argument with her father-in-law and kicked his young border collie in the stomach.
Connie Strong, 31, fronted Grafton Local Court on Monday where she pleaded guilty to common assault, damaging property and committing an act of animal cruelty.
The 31-year-old had a “hostile” relationship with her father-in-law who lived in a granny flat at the back of her South Grafton home, the court heard.
He owned a 14-month-old border collie named Jake, while Strong had a pet rabbit.
The rabbit would escape and roam the property. It also ate a garden the father-in-law had been growing at their neighbour’s house, according to police.
In January, the man “set a trap to capture the rabbit” and “took the rabbit to a nearby pet shop”.
That evening, the father-in law told Strong about the rabbit’s fate, sparking a dispute.
The dog was “standing next to the” man when Strong “proceeded to kick Jake the dog in the stomach region”.
“This caused Jake the dog to run away … ,” court documents state.
The fight continued and Strong spat on the man’s forearm. She also ripped out his passionfruit plants, snapped stems and left vines on the ground.
Police soon arrived and arrested Strong, who declined to participate in an interview.
In court, defence lawyer Brett Marshall said Strong was a mum-of-three who regretted her actions which arose after her rabbit was handed over.
“The argument has regrettably turned physical,” he said.
Strong was convicted and sentenced to a 12-month conditional release order.
Company stung after breaching fire ants protocol
A Queensland landscaping supply company has been fined after delivering up to 152 loads of potentially deadly fire ant carrying material across the border to NSW - including to two schools.
Toy gun bank hold-up accused in court after alleged armed break-in
A man accused of holding up a bank with a toy gun is back in court facing allegations he committed an armed break and enter police claim happened two weeks before the alleged heist attempt.