Cassandra Barnard: Gippsland greyhound trainer fined after dog killed in brutal attack

A Gippsland greyhound trainer has been fined for not taking her dog to the vet after it was savagely attacked as they fled a raging bushfire.

Cassandra Barnard pleaded guilty at Latrobe Valley Magistrates' Court.

A Gippsland greyhound trainer has been fined for not taking her dog to the vet after it was savagely attacked as they fled a raging bushfire.

Cassandra Barnard, 47, pleaded guilty at Latrobe Valley Magistrates’ Court on July 6 to one count of animal cruelty.

The court heard the Longwarry woman evacuated her property because of a nearby bushfire in the Bunyip State Forest on March 2 2019.

Barnard had 21 greyhounds and moved 14 of them in one car to a temporary kennel in Traralgon.

She then moved the rest but a fight broke out between the dogs with one, Extra Cuddles, escaping.

The other dogs chased Extra Cuddles and attacked her, leaving deep cuts in the greyhound’s neck and front legs.

Barnard cleaned the wounds and brought the dog to the kennel in Traralgon.

Unbeknown to Barnard, another person used a needle and nylon thread to stitch up Extra Cuddles’ wounds.

Once she realised the court heard she checked on the dog but didn’t give it pain relief or take it to the vet.

Later that night, another greyhound trainer saw Extra Cuddles motionless with several wounds to her body.

She took the dog to a vet in Maffra who said Extra Cuddles was dehydrated, had a high temperature and blood poisoning because of the infected cuts.

Once Barnard knew Extra Cuddles was taken to a vet, she attended the clinic and decided to put her down because the dog was in a critical condition.

In an interview with the RSPCA, Barnard admitted to not providing treatment for her injured dog.

She was remorseful and said she didn’t take Extra Cuddles to the vet as she only had $20 in her bank account.

Barnard’s lawyer Elise Anselma said the registered greyhound trainer of 18 years had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

“Due to the high stress situation and the fact that she hadn’t taken her medications that day, that would have impacted on the way she reacted in this situation,” Ms Anselma said.

“It’s clearly impacted on her ability to respond appropriately to what’s gone on.”

Ms Anselma said the incident occurred under an emergency evacuation.

“It was stressful and chaotic,” she said.

“The dogs were upset that they were rushed into a vehicle to be transported.”

Ms Anselma said Barnard took responsibility for her actions.

Magistrate Ann Collins said although the incident happened in an emergency situation, there was a lack of medical care for the dog.

Barnard was fined $500 without conviction.

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