Disgraced dog breeders Diane O’Mara and Brian Knight banned from owning dogs
BREEDERS at the centre of one of Victoria’s largest ever puppy farm raids have been slapped with a decade long ban on owning dogs and fined more than $7,000.
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BREEDERS at the centre of one of Victoria’s largest ever puppy farm raids have been slapped with a decade long ban on owning dogs and fined more than $7,000.
Diane O’Mara and Brian Knight pleaded guilty in Seymour Magistrate’s Court to multiple charges of animal cruelty under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act after more that 70 dogs were rescued from their property in northern Victoria last year.
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Four deceased dogs were also removed from one of the properties.
The court heard that RSPCA Victoria inspectors from the Special Investigations Unit seized 71 animals, living in squalid conditions, from the Longwood property in June 2016.
All but 11 of the animals were subsequently surrendered to the animal welfare organisation and have since been adopted and rehomed.
Magistrate Watkins ordered the couple to pay costs of $7,093 and forfeit ownership of the majority of the remaining animals in RSPCA Victoria’s care.
RSPCA Victoria Senior Prosecutor Daniel Bode said the court ruling would allow eight animals that have been in Protective Custody Hold for more than a year to finally be rehomed.
“Today’s result is a reminder to all pet owners to consider the welfare of each individual animal in their care to ensure each has appropriate housing and receives appropriate veterinary care,” Mr Bode said.
A separate investigation relating to dogs seized from another Longwood property by RSPCA Victoria in June 2016 is ongoing.
A total of 50 dogs were surrendered, 69 seized and 13 notices to comply issued between the two properties.
Chihuahuas, Chinese Crested and Spaniels were among the 119 dogs and six cats seized or surrendered.
Authorities were understood to be investigating the puppy farm’s links to the lucrative show dog industry after the animals were seized.