Berkeley man Jefferey Richards pleads to sickening animal cruelty charge

An Illawarra man is facing up to two years behind bars after his dog needed to be euthanised due to neglect. WARNING: Graphic Content.

American Staffordshire, Zeus, was euthanised after being taken to the vet with a litany of conditions due to ongoing neglect. Picture: Supplied

A dog needed to be euthanised after its owner, who left him in an atrocious state, told RSPCA inspectors he “had a lot on”.

Jefferey Wallace Richards pleaded guilty to committing an act of aggravated cruelty upon an animal in Wollongong Local Court on Wednesday.

The offence carries a maximum sentence of two years in jail or a fine of $22,000.

Documents tendered in court stated Richards, in the company of his neighbour, took his six-year-old American staffy, Zeus, to Greencross Vets Fairy Meadow on the evening of September 21, 22.

Zeus was suffering from a litany of conditions including being weak and two deep open wounds on its hind legs with pus, maggots and bone exposed.

As a result, the veterinarian euthanized the dog to prevent further pain and distress.

The veterinarian also reported the dog as being severely underweight, suffering from extreme muscle atrophy, extreme dehydration, septic joints and suspected tail mutilation.

The report indicated Zeus had likely gone without regular access to clean, fresh water for two to three weeks and the wounds on his hind legs were at least six weeks old.

Greencross Vets Fairy Meadow. Picture: Google Maps

The vet also noted the animal’s “weak and wobbly gait”, how it “struggled to stand”, its inability to lay down comfortably and its weight of just 20kg.

RSPCA inspectors attended Richards’ address on October 7, 2022, where he told them Zeus had been “going downhill” for about two-and-a-half months.

He said he had a conversation with his girlfriend about surrendering the dog to the RSPCA, but he was discouraged by having to pay.

The RSPCA inspector told him he should have contacted them and arrangements could have been made.

The documents indicated the dog was also locked under the house on at least one occasion with Richards telling the inspectors “I forgot like he’d be under the house”.

When asked why he was under the house, Richards said it was because the dog was “trashing the house” and “wrecking shit”.

The dog was suffering from severe dehydration. Picture: Supplied

An open wound on the dog’s hind leg. Picture: Supplied

Richards said he couldn’t remember the last time he took the dog to the vet and it was a year since he’d given it worming tablets.

“I didn't have any money,” Richards said in an attempt to explain why. “Didn’t wanna ask for help … had a lot on”.

Richards told the inspectors about multiple situations in his family which he suggested left him unable to care for Zeus.

The matter was adjourned and Richard will learn his fate in April.