Allegations Of Animal Hoarding After RSPCA Seizes 82 Dogs From Property

[icyfroth]

MORE than 80 dogs have been seized from a house in Gippsland following reports of 'animal hoarding'.

RSPCA inspectors found the animals when they executed a warrant on a Gippsland address on Wednesday.

Officers seized 82 small breed dogs from the residence due to serious concerns for their health and welfare.

http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/allegations-of-animal-hoarding-after-rspca-seizes-82-dogs-from-...

RSPCA Victoria Manager Inspectorate Services Allie Jalbert said they were shocked by the number of animals inside the home.

``The information we had, lead us to believe that we would need to seize about 60 dogs but it was soon apparent that the number would far exceed our expectations,'' she said.

``Due to the complexity of hoarding situations, we are working closely with local authorities and support services to rectify the living conditions and achieve the best outcome to prevent a similar situation recurring in future. 

Poor bluddy things.

[icyfroth]

I've donated some money to the RSPCA

We had a pup cake day at work last week too.

RSPCA Cup Cake Day

 "give a surrendered puppy a home, rescue a neglected pony, provide emergency surgery to an injured kitten and save thousands of lives."

[twinkles**stars]

Awful!

[icyfroth]

You get that people kind of mean well though, don't you? I think they just get overwhelmed with caring for so many animals.

[mugssy65]

How many dogs are you allowed to own over there? Here in the west we can only have two. Unless you own a kennel property or a farm.
That's a disgusting story Icy.
Off topic, we are getting new cat laws here in WA soon. Mandatory microchipping, registration and a complete ban on selling or advertising kittens unless your a registered breeder. I don't see how this will help cull the feral cat population they are already out there breeding amongst themselves and gone will be the humble family moggie.

[cherry*135]

If a pet owner is overwhelmed/can't look after their pets adequately there are steps they can take to rehome them.. no excuse for abuse of pets. Noone can manage 82 dogs in one private property.

At least there are, in some states at least, hefty penalties for pet abuse/cruelty.

24 August 2013

Pet cruelty 'disgrace': woman fined $101k

A Terara woman has been ordered to pay more than $111,000 in fines and costs after pleading guilty to "disgraceful" acts of animal cruelty.

Janine Marion pleaded guilty to 14 charges of aggravated animal cruelty against eight cats and 12 dogs in her care when she appeared in Nowra Local Court this week.

The charges were laid after RSPCA inspectors and Shoalhaven City Council rangers responded to complaints of animal cruelty and went to Marion's house on November 30 last year.

...He placed Marion on a two-year good behaviour bond, prohibited her from owning animals for five years and instructed her to report to police for fingerprinting.

She was ordered to pay $28,000 in fines and $83,243.58 in professional fees.

http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/1726610/pet-cruelty-disgrace-woman-fined-101k/?cs=300

[i-need-a-martini]

If a pet owner is overwhelmed/can't look after their pets adequately there are steps they can take to rehome them.. no excuse for abuse of pets. Noone can manage 82 dogs in one private property.

I agree but there was a neighbour once who was 'saving' dogs. She would have had at least 20 dogs in the house before she was forced to leave due to old age. She could barely feed herslef let alone her animals. But she knew that if she gave them up they would all be put down. This was years ago and there are many more shelters these days but I'm not sure if the situation is the same.

As Icy says, it looks as if the owner was well meaning. But probably just couldn't afford the good deed she set out to do.

[icyfroth]

mugssy65 wrote: How many dogs are you allowed to own over there? Here in the west we can only have two. Unless you own a kennel property or a farm. That's a disgusting story Icy.

Totally agree, mugssy, but I think many such people see themselves as saviours of animals that would be otherwise be abandoned or put down. I don't think the lady in this story was a breeder or a pet owner as such. Lots of people might have gotten rid of their unwanted pets on her. I think she just couldn't cope.

Off topic, we are getting new cat laws here in WA soon. Mandatory microchipping, registration and a complete ban on selling or advertising kittens unless your a registered breeder. I don't see how this will help cull the feral cat population they are already out there breeding amongst themselves and gone will be the humble family moggie.

I totally applaud such laws. Even though I'm a cat (and dog) lover, I understand the devastation feral domestic animals cause to the Australian environment.

---

[twinkles**stars]

There have been many stories of animal hoarders who get in over their heads. An illness / adiction? Different to that of puppy farmers

[cherry*135]

3-20 dogs maybe, but 80? 

It is sort of like a hoarder addiction. Also if you really care so much about animals and want to look after them why cant the person see that the animals are suffering if they aren't feeding them properly or keeping them clean or exercising them?