Woman fails to appear on charges over puppy death at alleged illegal dog-minding business in Frankston South
A Frankston South woman who allegedly ran an illegal doggy day care where a 15-week-old dachshund was mauled by other dogs faces arrest after failing to front court.
South East
Don't miss out on the headlines from South East . Followed categories will be added to My News.
A woman who allegedly ran an illegal dog-minding business where a 15-week-old dachshund was killed has failed to face court.
April Slight was due to appear at Frankston Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (August 15) to face four charges including being the owner of a dog that attacked an animal causing death.
The 32-year-old sent an email late Wednesday saying she was medically unfit to attend.
She has been warned if she doesn’t appear at the next hearing she will either be issued with an arrest warrant or the case will go ahead without her.
Frankston City Council alleges that Ms Slight ran the dog minding business from her Frankston South home without a permit and without it being a registered business.
They allege that on June 12 this year she left the premises and a 15-week old puppy in her care died after it was mauled by several other dogs.
As well as being the owner of a dog that killed, she has been charged with being the owner of a dog that caused serious injury, breaching a planning scheme by not having a permit, and not registering a business.
Ms Slight submitted the adjournment request complete with a psychiatric report stating she suffered from PTSD.
Council prosecutor Bruce Gardiner said the PTSD diagnosis had nothing to do with the case, noting it had been made before the alleged attack.
MORE: BOY LOSES TEAR DUCT IN DOG BITE
RAT, DIRT AND GRIME FOUND AT RED ROOSTER
RSPCA UNHAPPY WITH DIRTY DOG NAPPY
“She wasn’t so severely incapacitated that she couldn’t run an illegal puppy minding business,” he said.
The owner of the deceased dachshund was also in court to hear the adjournment.
Magistrate Vicky Prapas said the charges were serious and the issue “won’t go away”, but she would give Ms Slight some more time to prepare for the next hearing.
“If she is not in attendance on that day I expect the prosecution will make the application (to have a warrant or hear ex-parte),” Ms Prapas said.
The case was adjourned until August 29.