Coomera woman fined after leaving cat and guinea pig to die and other pets starving

A COOMERA woman has been given a slap on the wrist for leaving her pets with no food or water, killing a cat and a guinea pig and leaving her other animals and a Mexican walking fish emaciated.

Amina Odisho leaves Southport Magistrates Court. Picture: Richard Gosling

A COOMERA woman who left her pets with no food or water, killing a cat and a guinea pig and leaving her other animals and a Mexican walking fish emaciated, has been fined just $400.

Amina Odisho, also known as Sarah and Jessica, pleaded guilty in Southport Magistrates Court to one count of unreasonable abandonment.

Odisho claimed she had asked a 16-year-old friend to feed the cats but they never showed up.

Barrister acting for the RSPCA Adrian Braithwaite told the court a neighbour had called the RSPCA on March 10 concerned about the pets as they could smell a dead animal.

When an inspector arrived two days later they found a dead cat at the front of the home.

Mr Braithwaite said the inspector returned the next day with a warrant and forced entry into the home.

He said the inspector found a thin rag doll cat roaming the yard, an emaciated kitten and an emaciated guinea pig.

None of the animals had access to food or water.

Inside the house was a Mexican walking fish which did not have any food.

Defence lawyer David Garratt, of Howden Saggers Lawyers, said Odisho was embarrassed by the entire situation.

“She did engage a local schoolchild to help her feed the animals but obviously this person has let her down,” he said.

Amina Odisho leaves Southport Magistrates Court. Picture: Richard Gosling

Mr Garratt said the woman took full responsibility for the deaths of the animals and knew the “onus” was on her.

Magistrate Louise Sheppard said she accepted that Odisho had tried to make appropriate arrangements.

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“You accept that it fell well short really of your responsibility towards theses animals and on that basis you enter a plea of guilty,” Ms Sheppard said.

As well as the $400 fine, Ms Sheppard order Odisho pay $2142 for the RSPCA cost of rehoming the animals.

Odisho was also banned from owning a pet for 12 months.

Half the fine will also got to the RSPCA.