Christine Weisheit banned from owning more than five cats after failed appeal attempt
A Victorian woman who breached court orders by caring for nearly 80 cats simultaneously has had her appeal attempt quashed despite feeling she did nothing wrong.
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A Victorian woman labelled the RSPCA “murderers” in court as she lost a bid to overturn a former conviction for being in charge of too many cats.
Christine Weisheit must forfeit scores of felines after facing Ballarat County Court on Tuesday and unsuccessfully appealing a Magistrates’ Court conviction from November 2023 over her failure to comply with an order forbidding her from controlling more than 35 cats.
The RSPCA alleged Weisheit supervised 79 cats at Warrak near Ararat on January 7, 2020, in contravention of a court order from 2019.
In dispute on Tuesday was whether Weisheit was technically in charge of the cats, with the RSPCA putting forward that she did in fact have them in her care and control, even if they were formally owned by others.
Weisheit claimed on the contrary that she personally had charge of just 32 felines, the remainder being the property of other people who used the pens on the property – one of whom, the court heard, was himself banned from breeding or being in charge of domestic animals.
Former RSPCA inspector Steven Cook was called as a witness and described being taken through the cattery by Weisheit, with each animal removed from its pen and scanned.
Extensive footage was played in court of the multi-hour inspection, also attended by Victoria Police, and mostly depicted the outside of several cat pens as Mr Cook took photos and discussions were had about animals’ names, health, and owners.
The court heard Weisheit knew where the cattery key was hidden and gave inspectors access to the establishment.
She cleaned the cattery every day; fed and gave water to cats; knew their names, natures, and histories; had vet details and arranged medical care when required; and knew the personal details of the cats’ owners and carried out their instructions.
Weisheit nevertheless denied the animals were in her direct care.
“I was not in charge of them,” she said.
“I didn’t want to risk my cats for anything.”
But after a lengthy hearing, Judge Anne Hassan said she was satisfied Weisheit was in charge of the 79 cats, or was at least an agent of their owners, and found the breach charge proven.
Weisheit was convicted and sentenced to a good behaviour bond for five years, and was prohibited from owning more than five cats or kittens.
At that news, Weisheit shook her head and put it in her hands.
All her cats must be registered and desexed if over 12 weeks old and be annually assessed by a vet.
RSPCA inspectors will be allowed to enter her property and if need be, seize and rehome or kill excess animals.
Weisheit may apply after 12 months to vary the order.
“I’m just devastated,” she said in court.
“I didn’t think I did anything wrong at all.”
Weisheit called the RSPCA “murderers” of cats and dogs, and said she needed at least eight cats on the property to “keep the vermin down”.
“I have six cats every night sitting on top of me,” she said.
“It’s going to break my heart to part with them.”
Orders were made for costs of $56,353.12, which covered previous Magistrates’ Court matters.
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