CONVICTED: Was justice served?
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Case #14689 Rating: 1.0 out of 5
Dog starved
Harristown, QLD (AU)Incident Date: Thursday, Jul 10, 2008
Disposition: Convicted
Defendant/Suspect: Craig Anthony Maher
Harristown man Craig Anthony Maher has been fined $5000 for letting his pet dog waste away until it had to be euthanized by the RSPCA.
Maher appeared in Toowoomba Magistrates Court yesterday and pleaded guilty to breaching his duty of care by not taking reasonable steps to provide the appropriate treatment for the dog.
RSPCA officers seized the king charles cavalier spaniel on July 10 after they found it in a terrible condition at Maher's home.
The dog was severely emaciated, could not walk, had bloodied diarrhoea, ulcerated gums and eyes, skin infections, and untrimmed claws that had grown into its paw pads.
The suffering 15-year-old animal was in such a serious condition that it was put down within one hour of being seized by officers.
A vet report presented in court stated that the dog had suffered for several months. However, the charge was limited to one month.
Maher, who is the 2008 National Convention Manager for Apex and works in the security industry, said in his defence that his mother was sick and he was caring for her.
Magistrate Bruce Schemioneck convicted and fined Maher $5000 and ordered him to pay $226 costs of court.
He applauded the "vigilant and diligent" neighbours who reported Maher to the RSPCA.
Due to Maher's work in the security industry, the conviction was not recorded.
RSPCA Inspector Steve Barrand said he was happy with the penalty.
"It is quite a substantial fine for a single animal," he said.
"We are very happy with the result."
While Magistrate Schemioneck ordered that the $5000 fine be paid to the RSPCA, Mr Barrand said that unfortunately the RSPCA only received half this amount.
The remaining $2500 was paid to the government.
The maximum penalty for this offence is $22,500 or one year in prison. References
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