Marsden Park greyhound racer Charles Sultana found guilty of animal cruelty

A greyhound racing veteran, aged 80, has been banned from owning dogs for five years after being found guilty of gross mistreatment of up to 12 dogs.

Charles Sultana was found guilty of animal cruelty in his treatment of greyhounds (not pictured). Picture: Justin Brierty

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The Marsden Park greyhound racer charged with animal cruelty has been found guilty and fined $2800 for the death and maltreatment of dozens of greyhounds on his property.

Charles Sultana, 80, from Marsden Park, has been sentenced at Blacktown Court for seven offences of failing to provide proper veterinary treatment to 12 greyhounds, leading to one of those dogs needing to be euthanized after being rescued.

Sultana’s property was searched by the RSPCA in July last year where 12 dogs were found to be flea bitten, have parasitic worms and emaciated.

Four dogs were described by the vet as being in poor body condition, with one dog being emaciated and the other three in “very underweight” condition.

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.

All twelve greyhounds were taken to the RSPCA Shelter at Yagoona and presented to a veterinarian and intake protocol for disease control, worming, antiparasitic treatment and feeding plans were implemented.

Magistrate David O’Neill in the sentencing proceeding said: “You (Sultana) are experienced with greyhounds, and it is a terrible shame that the greyhounds in your care ended up in the state they were in.”

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After seizure the greyhounds were surrendered to the RSPCA, where 10 of the 12 dogs were adopted to families.

One greyhound was referred to the group Greyhound Rescue and one was euthanised because of ongoing neurological issues.

At the time of the investigation, several greyhound carcasses were found buried on the property.

RSPCA NSW deputy chief inspector Aaron Purcell said the treatment of the dogs goes against the “sweet-natured” animals’ disposition.

“Greyhounds are quiet, sweet-natured dogs who do very well as companion pets,” he said.

“Ex-racing greyhounds transition well into a family home and its delightful to see that 11 of these dogs will live out their lives in a loving home,” he said.

Sultana was fined and the Court implemented a five-year prohibition order on owning the dogs or racing.