Christian Diaz: Elwood man in court after German shepherd Harley dies

An Elwood man who turned to ‘home remedies’ to treat his severely sick pet instead of medical advice has fronted court.

A former German shepherd owner has been found guilty of animal cruelty. Picture: Generic

An Elwood man who used ‘home remedies’ on his severely sick pet instead of recommended medical treatment has been found guilty of animal cruelty.

Christian Diaz fronted the Moorabbin Magistrates’ Court on Monday after the RSPCA launched an investigation into the health of his late german shepherd dog Harley in 2018.

The court heard Harley was humanely euthanased by the RSPCA in October 2018 after he was discovered to be suffering extreme health issues including severe arthritis, malnutrition, urinary trouble and a mass the size of a basketball on his abdomen.

The tragic death came after RSPCA inspectors issued Diaz with a notice at his then Cheltenham property to have Harley checked by a vet within a week on September 8.

Diaz attended Southern Animal Health on September 14, with concerned veterinarian Louise Mulcahy recommending Diaz to seek urgent treatment within 24 hours.

Diaz refused treatment due to financial restraints but Dr Mulcahy recommended the Lort Smith Animal Hospital where a payment plan could be organised, the court heard.

Inspectors seized Harley from Diaz’s property on September 20 after it was discovered Diaz had ignored medical advice and instead resorted to acupuncture, cold water treatment and glucosamine tablets.

Harley gained more than 3.5kg under the RSPCA’s care for 12 days however he was still suffering great pain, the court heard.

“ …(his health issues) were affecting his quality of life. His abnormal gait, emaciated body condition and problems urinating and defecating would have been obvious to a lay person,” the prosecution said.

“Due to the multiple serious health concerns, Harley was euthanased on humane grounds.”

Diaz, who is unemployed and relies on his disability pension, said he had been left “heartbroken” over Harley’s death.

“I probably should have had Harley put down a couple of years (before his decline),” he told the court.

Magistrate Paul Smith said Diaz’s home remedies were “not sufficient”.

“I note it was not your intent to be cruel to Harley or hurt Harley … you were trying to do the right thing by him,” he said.

Diaz was found guilty of animal cruelty, unreasonably failing to provide treatment and failing to comply with a notice.

He was banned from owning a dog for two years, fined $1500 and ordered to pay a further $8000 in costs.