Pets Galore owner Nicole Louise Bourne has 200+ animal welfare charges adjourned in Toowoomba Magistrates Court

More than two years after the RSPCA raided a Toowoomba pet store and charged its owner with more than 200 animal welfare offences, the matter is still dragging before the court with another adjournment granted. Find out what happened here.

The charges against a Toowoomba pet store owner, accused of more than 200 animal welfare breaches, have been adjourned until December.

Nicole Louise Bourne, who is on bail, was not required to appear in Toowoomba Magistrates Court on Monday when her charges were mentioned, but she was represented in her absence by solicitor Harrison Humphries.

Ms Bourne has not yet entered any pleas to the charges, which include 52 counts of failing to provide food and water for animals, 58 counts of failing to provide appropriate treatment for injured animals, 48 counts of failing to provide appropriate accommodation or living conditions for animals, 41 counts of failing to take reasonable steps to provide for the animal’s needs for displaying normal patterns of behaviour in a way that is appropriate, and one of failing to comply with an animal welfare direction.

Pets Galore was raided by the RSPCA and had pets removed. Photo Bev Lacey

RSPCA animal welfare officers raided Ms Bourne’s store Pets Galore on May 20, 2020, were hundreds of animals were seized, including cats, a dog, rodents and birds.

The matter was initially listed for a directions hearing however that was abandoned to the chagrin of magistrate Clare Kelly.

Both Mr Humphries and RSPCA prosecutor Ms Zanders confirmed that all evidence was now before the court, but an application for directions was opposed by the prosecution, necessitating the directions hearing.

The court was told a trial date may still need to be set, depending on the outcome of the directions hearing.

Discussions between Mr Humphries, his counsel and Ms Zanders revealed that the earliest date possible for the hearing was December 12.

Ms Kelly said given the age of the charges, any application for an adjournment of that date would not succeed.

“It would not be met with any approval if a request is made for an adjournment,” Ms Kelly told both parties.

Ms Bourne’s was allowed to continue bail on her own undertaking, with the matter to return to Toowoomba Magistrates Court on December 12.