Monsters who contributed to the Gold Coast’s scourge of animal cruelty and neglect
A shocking number of animal cruelty complaints are made on the Gold Coast each year. Here are some of the worst crimes – and the culprits.
Police & Courts
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A thousand animal cruelty complaints are being made on the Gold Coast each year, shock new figures have revealed.
RSPCA data found there were 2143 complaints received for the Gold Coast in 2020 and 2021.
Most of these involved dogs left in cars, tethering, animals without shelter, animals in poor condition and animals not receiving vet treatment.
The worst suburbs for animal cruelty complaints last year were Southport (118), Labrador (72), Pimpama (63), Coomera (56), Nerang (52), Upper Coomera (50) and Surfers Paradise (46).
RSPCA Queensland spokeswoman Emma Lagoon said inspectors worked with animal owners when welfare concerns were raised.
“Sometimes we see great results with pet owners just needing a bit of help, but other times people either don’t listen to advice or don’t regard having a pet as serious responsibility,” Ms Lagoon said.
“That’s where we see larger issues like animals becoming emaciated, not receiving veterinary treatment, tethering of pets for long periods of time and just basic pet care being ignored.”
Community members with an animal welfare concern should report it directly to the RSPCA via 1300 ANIMAL (1300 264 625) for emergencies or report online all other concerns (www.rspca.org.au).
Liam Brandon Maxwell
A Tallai man threw his flatmate’s service dog into a wall in a flash of anger which killed the canine and left blood splattered across the Surfers Paradise apartment.
Liam Brandon Maxwell killed the four-year-old Maltese cross Oliver while the dog’s owner was out of their apartment on February 8 last year.
A necropsy by the RSPCA found Oliver had “experienced extreme emotional distress and fear as he had been traumatised” in the lead up to his death, the court was told.
Maxwell, 24, pleaded guilty in the Southport District Court in January to serious animal cruelty.
Crown prosecutor Christopher Cook said Oliver’s owner Chantelle Astin had lived with Maxwell, Oliver and her cat in their Surfers Paradise apartment for a number of months.
She used Oliver as a service dog for her post-traumatic stress disorder to help calm her down during an episode.
Mr Cook said Oliver was well-trained, lived harmoniously and had never bitten anyone.
While Ms Astin was out of the apartment on the morning of February 8, Maxwell threw Oliver across the apartment where he hit a wall.
Maxwell then called Ms Austin and said: “Holy f***, I think I have killed him”.
He claimed in the call Oliver had bit him.
There was no evidence presented to the court that this was the case.
Ms Astin made attempts to get vet help for Oliver but they were unable to help him.
Mr Cook told the court police found blood splattered on the wall, ceiling, curtains and a pool of blood.
In Brisbane District Court last month, Maxwell was ordered to serve three months behind bars.
Lisa-Jayne Cameron
The woman behind “shocking neglect” at what was one of the city’s most popular animal sanctuaries will not face any jail-time.
Owner Lisa-Jayne Cameron was given 12 months imprisonment wholly suspended for a period of 18 months, with a conviction recorded in September 2021.
She pleaded guilty to more than 40 charges in Pine Rivers Magistrates Court.
RSPCA prosecutor K.W Gover told the court that the offending was “one of the worst examples of breaches of duty of care and neglect of animals”, with the conditions described as absolutely appalling.
A total of 37 animals were seized, including a dalmatian dog and a horse which were later euthanized.
“Some of the horses had significant worm infestation, their hoofs were in poor condition, … one had a patch of blistered skin the size of a dinner plate,” Ms Gover told the court.
“(Animals) were starving and they didn’t have sufficient feed.
“They also had significant dental issues, cracked teeth, and missing teeth.”
Cameron and her daughter Alexandria were initially charged with 84 offences including three charges of cruelty, two charges of failing to comply with an animal welfare direction and 79 charges of breach of duty of care, including failure to provide appropriate food, water, treatment and living conditions for the animals in their care.
Alexandria Cameron’s 84 charges were dismissed – and she had always denied any wrongdoing.
Lisa-Jayne Cameron has also always denied claims she mistreated animals at the charity she started in 2012.
Ms Cameron’s defence lawyer, Yassar Khan from Bouchier Khan Lawyers, said the likelihood of his client reoffending “is not there”.
“I should also note she has suffered significant extra-curial punishment as a result of this,” Mr Khan said.
“She effectively had to go into hiding after the story was first published and then has had to move on a number of occasions because of online trolls … serious death threats and the like.
“A number of friends and associates have abandoned her as a consequence of this.”
Patrick Joseph McElligott
Patrick McElligott’s dog was left “terrified, worried and tormented” after he kicked it in the head three times in a Gold Coast Bunnings car park.
In 2020, McElligott was sentenced to two years probation with restrictive conditions including attending anger management programs, regular drug and alcohol testing and that he must attend counselling after attacking his dog in a Gold Coast Bunnings’ carpark.
He was found guilty of one count of animal cruelty after he kicked the German shepherd called Axel in the head three times on May 2, 2020 about 3.30pm.
Brett Allan Simpson
Brett Simpson was banned from owning an animal for three years after an incident caught on video.
The damning footage from January 8, 2018 showed Simpson hitting and kicking a dog and yanking his lead so hard the pup was airborne for one metre.
On July 9, 2018 he pleaded guilty to one count of animal cruelty and was ordered to pay more than $2000 in RSPCA costs.
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