Allawah woman Bin Yu sentenced after pleading guilty to animal cruelty offence

RSPCA inspectors were called to a Macarthur property to investigate a complaint, and they found an ill goat who had been unable to walk for days. Read what the magistrate had to say.

A woman who agreed to look after two goats for her friends has been sentenced after one of the animals died due to neglect.

Bin Yu, 32, fronted Picton Local Court on Thursday and pleaded guilty to an aggravated act of cruelty against a female goat between July and September last year.

Court documents reveal that Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals inspectors were called to a Belimbla Park property after someone had raised their concerns about the treatment of goats.

They were met by Yu who told them she was aware of a sick goat and she had been looking after the place while her friends were overseas.

The inspectors sighted two goats, one of whom was lying down in an upright position with several dishes of food and water.

According to the agreed facts, Yu told the inspectors that the goat had been unable to walk since the week prior and she had recently dragged it to the spot where it was after she hosed off faeces and urine.

Later, Yu told the inspectors she had found the goat stuck by its horn in the ground so she moved it and gave it water.

Yu surrendered both goats to the RSPCA inspectors and the one that was ill was humanely euthanized by the vet.

In the court documents a report from a vet said: “I consider that there was a failure to provide proper and sufficient food to [both goats] based on the body condition, body weight and the post mortem findings”.

The Allawah woman’s solicitor told the court Yu had agreed to take care of the animals on the farm for free, and “strictly adhered” to all instructions provided and had no intention to hurt the animal.

“Your Honour can be comforted in finding her at low risk of reoffending,” the lawyer said.

“[I am] hoping the court can exercise discretion in this case and find the defendant guilty without proceeding to conviction.”

Picton Courthouse. Picture: Adelaide Lang

The police prosecutor, who spoke on behalf of the RSPCA, opposed the submission of a non conviction.

“The animal died as a result of the treatment it didn’t receive,” she said.

“Her inexperience doesn’t detract from her responsibilities to look after the animals.”

Magistrate Mark Douglass said the length of time in which the animal suffered was “significant” and it was reliant on Yu for food, shelter and care.

He accepted that Yu was “naive” when it came to goat maintenance and care and was not deliberately trying to cause injury or harm.

But, she had “failed” the job she signed on to do and as a result the goat was in pain and it died which was “cruel”.

Magistrate Douglass acknowledged Yu had no criminal history and had entered an early guilty plea.

“It’s quite obvious in my view she should have got proper assistance for that suffering animal,” he said.

Bin Yu was convicted and fined $1500. She has also been ordered to not purchase or take possession of a an animal or be involved in the care of one for two years.