Couple Fined In ‘abhorrent' Dog Abuse Case

[whiskedaway]

A Queensland couple have been charged and fined $7000 after their dog was left with an untreated lesion on its head for several months.

Daniel and Kym Rach, from Mt Gravatt in Brisbane's south, appeared in Holland Park Magistrates Court on Friday charged with breaching their duty of care under the state's Animal Care and Protection Act (2001), the Courier Mail reported.

The dog, a tan German shepherd called Cub, had been suffering with the lesion for several months when it was seized and then euthanased by the RSPCA.

“It was a particularly abhorrent case,” RSPCA Queensland inspector Annabel Buchanan said.

"Everybody at the RSPCA was really shocked at the condition of the dog.”

Magistrate Colin Strofield, who did not record a conviction for the couple, said their failure to have the dog treated was "inexplicable and reprehensible" but took into account their early guilty plea.

Lawyer Angelo Venardos said the couple were remorseful and had not taken the dog to a vet because of Mr Rach's phobia of doctors.

The couple has been banned from owning a dog for three years.

Source: NineMSN

[Blonde_Phoenix]

A couple of pictures are available here. *Warning Very Graphic* particularly the second one.

[sandgrubber]

I wouldn't have objected to posting this in the main News section. I think the abuse section was created for sensationalised and tittilating (sp???) abuse cases that were cluttering the main news area. This is a legal precedent that may be of general interest.

[whiskedaway]

I only put it in here because it was considered abuse. However you can double post it if you want.

[Peace_Of_Mind]

A Queensland couple have been charged and fined $7000 after their dog was left with an untreated lesion on its head for several months.

Daniel and Kym Rach, from Mt Gravatt in Brisbane's south, appeared in Holland Park Magistrates Court on Friday charged with breaching their duty of care under the state's Animal Care and Protection Act (2001), the Courier Mail reported.

The dog, a tan German shepherd called Cub, had been suffering with the lesion for several months when it was seized and then euthanased by the RSPCA.

“It was a particularly abhorrent case,” RSPCA Queensland inspector Annabel Buchanan said.

"Everybody at the RSPCA was really shocked at the condition of the dog.”

Magistrate Colin Strofield, who did not record a conviction for the couple, said their failure to have the dog treated was "inexplicable and reprehensible" but took into account their early guilty plea.

Lawyer Angelo Venardos said the couple were remorseful and had not taken the dog to a vet because of Mr Rach's phobia of doctors.

The couple has been banned from owning a dog for three years.

Source: NineMSN

Three year ban?

They should never be allowed to own a dog again.

[Kadbury]

That poor dog. I am appalled that they didn't have a conviction recorded against them. the fact that the fine was only $7,000.00 this of course will never be paid they will plead poor and probably had Legal Aid Rep. A three year ban on owning a dog is a Joke.

If he is soooooo afraid of Doctors I would make him sit in an Emergency Department 1 night a week for that three years.

The cruelty act has got to be made tougher.......RSPCA do their job and then these (can't find fitting word) get off virtually scott free

[korbin13]

So why isn't a criminal conviction recorded. I know people who have done minor things and had convictions recorded. Hardly seems reasonable.

[Her Majesty Dogmad]

Anyone else that saw the dog in this condition and did nothing is also guilty of cruelty. Don't tell me there were no neighbours, no visitors and so on whilst this dog suffered because i don't believe it.