Blacktown: Worst animal cruelty offenders named and shamed
There has been a worrying spate of animal cruelty in Blacktown in recent months including the shocking case of dog beaten with a hammer and the severe neglect of several greyhounds. Here are some of the worst offenders, named and shamed.
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They are cases of shocking neglect and animal cruelty that landed these dog owners with hefty fines and criminal convictions. From an Emerton man who bashed his dog with hammer, to a Marsden Park greyhound trainer who was convicted of grossly mistreating a dozen dogs, these are some of the worst recent cases of animal mistreatment in the Blacktown region.
CHARLES SULTANA
The greyhound racing veteran who was found with a dozen diseased and malnourished dogs on his Marsden Park property was convicted of seven charges.
Charles Sultana, 80, faced Blacktown Local Court in June 2019 on charges of failing to provide proper veterinary treatment to 12 greyhounds, with one dog found in such a bad condition, it had to be euthanised.
When RSPCA inspectors searched Sultana’s property, they found the dogs to be flea-bitten, riddled with parasitic worms and emaciated.
Up to 10 of the dogs had pressure sores, two dogs had ear infections and another two dogs had overgrown fingernails, all causing unnecessary suffering and discomfort.
Sultana was fined $2800 and banned from owning or racing dogs for five years.
JULIE MOALA
A Tregear woman narrowly avoided jail earlier this year after she was convicted of committing an act of aggravated animal cruelty on her pet shar pei.
Julie Mitai Moala, 40, was the owner of the dog, who had to be put down after he was found emaciated, infested with fleas and with a wound infected through to the bone in January 2019.
Moala faced Mt Druitt Local Court in January after RSPCA inspectors were called to the home and found the dog had been left in the backyard with no food or water for almost two weeks.
It is believed the dog had been suffering for at least two months and was left with a dripping tap when she left the dog behind over Christmas 2018.
Moala was ordered to enter a Community Corrections Order for nine months and pay the RSPCA $252 to cover vet bills.
MICHAEL PRYCE
A Emerton man was convicted of animal cruelty offences after he bashed his dog with a hammer for destroying his grass.
Michael Pryce, 33, admitted to committing an act of cruelty and another of failing to provide vet treatment for his pet Staffordshire Terrier, Dwayne in November 2018.
RSPCA inspectors were called to Pryce’s home after witnesses reported seeing two dogs hiding in a corner and a man holding a large wooden object covered in blood.
Pryce admitted to hitting the dog with a hammer multiple times and striking him with a piece of wood.
He was placed on a four-month intensive corrections order and was ordered to undertake 50 hours of community service.
EDWARD AVANESSIAN
A Lethbridge Park man was fined thousands of dollars after his pet poodle had to be seized in a shocking case of animal cruelty and neglect.
Edward Avanessian, 71, was convicted of six counts of failing to provide vet treatment to Aviary in May after the dog was found on the ground in his backyard in severe pain and discomfort.
Aviary was found to have a serious dental disease, with rotting teeth and pus-filled gums, as well as infected and irritated skin due to embedded faecal matter, conjunctivitis and an ear infection.
Avanessian was fined $5400 and ordered to pay the RSPCA more than $6100 for vet care and shelter costs.
He was also banned from owning an animal for five years.
HEBERSHAM WOMAN, 29
A Hebersham woman was banned from owning animals after her three dogs were found diseased and underfed at her western Sydney home.
The 29-year-old woman admitted to a string of charges, including failing to provide vet treatment for three dogs and failing to provide treatment for periodontal disease for two dogs in her care.
RSPCA inspectors were called to her home after receiving a report about six dogs being kept in a poor condition on the property. Three dogs – a Papillon, Tibetan Spaniel cross Maltese and Chihuahua – were seized.
She was also ordered to pay $15,733.72 for vet and shelter costs and was banned from owning a dog for two years.
She was also placed on a 12-month Conditional Release Order.