Ex-Carrum Downs pet shop owner charged with allegedly selling sick animals, keeping them in smelly, damp cages
The former owner of a Carrum Downs pet store has been charged with a raft of animal cruelty offences, with shocking details revealed in court of alleged inhumane conditions suffered by puppies and kittens she was trying to sell.
South East
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A former Carrum Downs pet shop owner has faced court on a raft of charges including selling sick animals and keeping cats and dogs in damp, dirty, smelly and overcrowded cages.
Also among 56 Frankston City Council allegations levelled against Anessa Blackwood and Passion for Pets Corporation Pty Ltd are dozens of administrative violations.
Both Ms Blackwood and the company deny all the charges.
The Frankston-Dandenong Rd shop is now under new ownership after it was sold in March 2018.
Ms Blackwood, 48, appeared at Frankston Magistrates’ Court yesterday for the third day of a contested hearing.
She was supported in court by her husband Christopher Blackwood, while members of animal welfare group Oscar’s Law were also in the gallery.
Charge sheets released to the Leader reveal there are 56 charges against Ms Blackwood and the company relating to a series of inspections between May 2017 and February 2018.
The council is alleging in May 2017 the business kept animals in overcrowded, damp, smelly and unhygienic cages and pens, allowed sick or diseased animals to be sold and violated a raft of pet shop codes.
In July 2017 the council claims the pens were still damp and dirty, the pet shop failed to quarantine sick or injured animals properly and there were more registration and compliance problems.
On three more occasions in January and February 2018 the council believes the pet shop was still selling sick animals and keeping others in small and smelly pens, as well as ongoing administration failures.
The case, which has already dragged on from an initial hearing in May to two more days in October, was adjourned because a possible conflict of interest arose relating to the lawyer representing both parties.
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Magistrate Fiona Stewart said the matter would need to begin afresh next year at another hearing, set down for three more days.
She said “my view is that this is a very, very serious situation of neglect” and indicated if the charges were admitted a fine of around $90,000 against both Ms Blackwood and the company were likely.
Ms Blackwood and the company deny all the charges and the sentence indication was refused.
There are no provisions for a jail sentence to be imposed.
The cases against both parties were adjourned until February 12 next year.
The Leader is not suggesting there are any concerns with the current owners of the Carrum Downs Passion for Pets business.