Post by Wolfie on Sept 5, 2008 1:03:56 GMT -5
A QUEENSLAND couple will face more than 260 charges relating to a duty-of-care breach after the RSPCA seized more than 780 animals from their property near Townsville in the state's far north, The Townsville Bulletin reports.
The RSPCA removed a large number of animals, including 660 rodents and 123 dogs, from the property south of Townsville on July 31.
RSPCA Inspector Cliff Singer said the owners, a man and a woman aged in their 40s, would face about 131 charges each under the Animal Care and Protection Act 2001.
They will appear in Townsville Magistrates Court on October 7.
"The charges relate to failure to provide appropriate accommodation and living conditions and failure to provide appropriate treatment for some," Mr Singer said.
The Dingo Park Rd property raid, believed to be the largest in Queensland, took 12 hours as the animals were loaded into 12 vehicles.
RSPCA inspectors, vets and environmental health officers were accompanied by 20 police officers to oversee the raid.
Stuart Police Station officer-in-charge Senior Sergeant John Bosnjak said at the time he was overwhelmed by the stench.
Mice, guinea pigs and birds were also removed from the property.
Mr Singer said he could not elaborate on the condition the animals were kept in because the case would be put before the courts.
"The condition of the animals and their living conditions we deemed to be inappropriate, which is why we've laid the charges," he said.
It is understood video footage taken during the raid will be used in evidence.
Woodstock man Syd Dart threatened legal action when his two maltese terrier puppies were caught up in the raid.
Mr Dart had left the puppies with the couple so they could sell them on.
He claims to be closely related to the couple and said they were respected breeders in the pet industry.
Mr Dart said the RSPCA acted inappropriately and described them as "little more than cattle rustlers".
But an RSPCA Queensland spokesman said the organisation seized animals only as a last resort.
"From a resources point of view the last thing we want to do is land the shelter with over 100 dogs and 600 rodents," he said.
The RSPCA Bohle shelter has been bursting at the seams for the past seven months and staff have been unable to take holidays.
"All the staff there have worked extremely hard, with long hours," Mr Singer said.
"We're certainly on top of it. We know exactly what we've got and what we're dealing with.
"Every animal is getting the attention and treatment that they need, even down to immunisation and contact with other animals.
"We've been working on that and we're now starting to get some out on foster so we can put them in nice homes and get them ready for when all this is concluded."
Source
The RSPCA removed a large number of animals, including 660 rodents and 123 dogs, from the property south of Townsville on July 31.
RSPCA Inspector Cliff Singer said the owners, a man and a woman aged in their 40s, would face about 131 charges each under the Animal Care and Protection Act 2001.
They will appear in Townsville Magistrates Court on October 7.
"The charges relate to failure to provide appropriate accommodation and living conditions and failure to provide appropriate treatment for some," Mr Singer said.
The Dingo Park Rd property raid, believed to be the largest in Queensland, took 12 hours as the animals were loaded into 12 vehicles.
RSPCA inspectors, vets and environmental health officers were accompanied by 20 police officers to oversee the raid.
Stuart Police Station officer-in-charge Senior Sergeant John Bosnjak said at the time he was overwhelmed by the stench.
Mice, guinea pigs and birds were also removed from the property.
Mr Singer said he could not elaborate on the condition the animals were kept in because the case would be put before the courts.
"The condition of the animals and their living conditions we deemed to be inappropriate, which is why we've laid the charges," he said.
It is understood video footage taken during the raid will be used in evidence.
Woodstock man Syd Dart threatened legal action when his two maltese terrier puppies were caught up in the raid.
Mr Dart had left the puppies with the couple so they could sell them on.
He claims to be closely related to the couple and said they were respected breeders in the pet industry.
Mr Dart said the RSPCA acted inappropriately and described them as "little more than cattle rustlers".
But an RSPCA Queensland spokesman said the organisation seized animals only as a last resort.
"From a resources point of view the last thing we want to do is land the shelter with over 100 dogs and 600 rodents," he said.
The RSPCA Bohle shelter has been bursting at the seams for the past seven months and staff have been unable to take holidays.
"All the staff there have worked extremely hard, with long hours," Mr Singer said.
"We're certainly on top of it. We know exactly what we've got and what we're dealing with.
"Every animal is getting the attention and treatment that they need, even down to immunisation and contact with other animals.
"We've been working on that and we're now starting to get some out on foster so we can put them in nice homes and get them ready for when all this is concluded."
Source
