A southern suburbs couple who pleaded guilty to starving their two large-breed dogs were today sentenced to six weeks imprisonment, suspended on a bond to be of good behaviour for 12 months.  

In the Christies Beach magistrate’s court this afternoon, the 44-year-old man and 39-year old woman were convicted on two charges of Ill Treatment of an Animal for failing to provide adequate food to their two mastiff-cross dogs, both found in emaciated states by RSPCA South Australia inspectors. 

Following a report from a member of the public who was concerned about the dogs’ condition, RSPCA inspectors attended at the property on 12 June 2020. They located three large mastiff-cross dogs in the backyard. One of the dogs was in good condition, but the other two – an eight-year-old female named Scooby and a three-year-old male named  Duncan – were emaciated. 

The inspectors issued the couple with an Animal Welfare Notice directing them on the feeding program required to bring their dogs up to a healthy weight. However, when the inspectors returned a week later, on 19 June 2020, the dogs had not gained weight and  appeared to be very hungry. 

As a result, Scooby and Duncan were seized and taken into RSPCA care where they were examined by Chief Veterinarian Dr Brad Ward. Scooby weighed 24.4kg with a body condition score (BCS) of 1/9. Duncan weighed 28.1kg with a BCS of 1.5/9. (On the BCS  index, 1-3 is underweight, 4-5 is ideal and 6-9 is overweight/obese.) Blood tests on both  dogs did not reveal any underlying diseases. 

After one month on a high quality, high calorie diet, Scooby weighed 35.6kg (a 46%  increase in body weight) and had a BCS of 4.5/9, while Duncan weighed 40.1kg (a 47%  increase in body weight) and had a BCS of 5/9. 

Dr Ward estimated the dogs had been suffering malnutrition due to an inadequate diet for at least three to six weeks prior to their seizure. Both dogs were surrendered and  rehomed. 

Scooby has been the subject of two previous interventions by the RSPCA in relation to low  body weight, both the result of reports from concerned members of the public. Inspectors provided feeding advice and dog food, and made several follow up visits to check on the dog’s welfare. 

In sentencing the couple, Magistrate Teresa Anderson said it was obvious to anyone that  the dogs were starving. 

“Their ribs were protruding, they had a sunken and wasted appearance,” her Honour said. “They were not too far off death. 

“Dog owners need to understand they are responsible for their animals not suffering, and  these two animals suffered greatly. 

The couple were each ordered to pay $2000 in veterinary and boarding costs, $172 in court  fees and $75 in legal fees. 

They are prohibited from owning any animals until further order and must surrender a dog  currently in their care to RSPCA SA within seven days. 

RSPCA SA Chief Inspector Andrea Lewis said the case highlights the need for people to be realistic about their capacity to keep an animal in good health. 

“These are very big dogs with equally big needs for daily nutrition, and to maintain them in good body condition is a costly exercise that would be beyond many people’s budgets,”  Inspector Lewis says. 

“In this case, we have worked on-and-off for the past four years with this couple to try to  get them to either feed their dogs properly or to surrender them to us. 

“Whether it’s financial hardship or something else that’s preventing someone from adequately caring for their pets, taking action to rehome or surrender the animal has to happen before their health deteriorates. 

“To stand by as an animal in your care becomes skeletal and not intervene is unacceptable by any measure.”

  Scooby when taken into RSPCA SA care – June 2020