Townsville court: Man fined $20K over RSPCA animal cruelty case

A man who refused to hand over custody of his five dogs to the RSPCA has been ordered to pay more than $20,000 for boarding costs.

A MAN who refused to hand over custody of his five dogs to the RSPCA has been ordered to pay more than $20,000 for boarding costs.

Police executed a warrant at Simon Clayton Oakley’s Vincent address on March 9 this year after receiving a complaint on January 27.

Five dogs, that were seized by police, were suffering from malnutrition, ticks and fleas.

The Townsville Magistrates Court was told the five dogs had been in the care of the RSPCA costing the animal charity $100-a-day to home the canines.

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Legal counsel for the RSPCA, Zoe Navarro, said the boarding costs totalled $21,938.20.

“He was given multiple opportunities to surrender the animals to the RSPCA because that then avoids those costs,” she said.

Ms Navarro said Oakley was asked in May to give up the dogs but declined. She said he had failed to appear in court since.

Oakley again did not appear in court and the sentencing was finalised in his absence. He pleaded guilty to 12 charges including six charges for fail to provide appropriate accommodation or living conditions.

Magistrate Ross Mack fined Oakley $2000 with $1000 instructed to be paid to the RSPCA.

Oakley was ordered to pay $21,000 in boarding costs, $1100 in legal fees and $109 in filing fees.

Mr Mack ordered the dogs be rehomed and prohibited Oakley from owning an animal for the next five years.

Convictions were recorded.

Originally published as Townsville court: Man fined $20K over RSPCA animal cruelty case