Queensland Shooters Fishers and Farmers Party throws support behind candidate despite animal cruelty charges

A Queensland Shooters Fishers and Farmers Party candidate and pet shop owner has been charged by the RSPCA with 35 animal cruelty charges – but the party is standing by its candidate.

Leichelle McMahon is running for the seat of Murrumba in the state election despite facing multiple animal cruelty charges. Picture: Facebook

A Queensland Shooters Fishers and Farmers Party candidate has been charged by the RSPCA with 35 animal cruelty charges.

Leichelle McMahon is running for the seat of Murrumba, in the Moreton Bay region north of Brisbane.

The pet shop owner is on trial for 35 charges alleging she failed to properly care for or treat a variety of animals including cats, dogs, turtles and lizards.

Her husband Shane McMahon is also facing a number of charges.

The couple are contesting the charges.

Leichelle McMahon is running for the seat of Murrumba in the state election despite facing multiple animal cruelty charges. Picture: Facebook

The Queensland Shooters Fishers and Farmers Party have today shared a statement on Mrs McMahon’s campaign Facebook page stating they are aware of the charges.

“We support her in her efforts to clear her good name of the alleged crimes she has been charged with,” the statement from State Leader and Secretary Malcolm Richardson read.

“Mrs McMahon has gone to great lengths to defend the frivolous allegations against her, including spending over $100,000 on her defence to date.

“The fact she would do such a thing to defend charges that carry minimal fines and restrictions also speaks to her innocence.

“Leichelle McMahon is an honest, hardworking mother running small businesses with her husband who has chosen to stand up for the community and not turn away from vexatious action and frivolous charges.

The facts regarding Mrs McMahons court case are well known to the QLD SFFP, and we support her in her efforts to clear...

Posted by QLD Shooters Fishers and Farmers Party - Murrumba - Leichelle McMahon on Thursday, 15 October 2020

“We believe we should have more political candidates as transparent and honest as she is and are behind her all the way.”

The charges were laid by the RSPCA following investigations into a fire at Mrs McMahon’s Kallangur pet store and veterinary hospital in November 2018.

Some animals were saved but unfortunately a number were killed by either the flames or smoke inhalation.

Mrs McMahon owned and operated both businesses.

She and her husband pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

Leichelle McMahon is running for the seat of Murrumba as a Queensland Shooters Fishers and Farmers Party candidate. Picture: Annette Dew

Prosecutor Adrian Braithwaite for the RSPCA told Brisbane Magistrates Court on September 11, during a hearing, that the charges included failing to appropriately treat injured or diseased animals and providing inappropriate living conditions for the pets.

It will also be alleged that Mrs McMahon failed to provide enough or suitable food and water and breaches of interim prohibition orders.

The couple were charged after RSPCA inspectors visited the business and home on multiple occasions.

The hearing has been adjourned until February 9.

Originally published as Queensland Shooters Fishers and Farmers Party throws support behind candidate despite animal cruelty charges