A negligent pet owner who let a stomach-turning tumour grow on his English Staffy’s face has narrowly escaped home detention and will be allowed to keep his other dogs, despite two previous convictions for animal cruelty.
The 44-year-old did nothing to help the long-suffering pet which had a massive tumour covering its face for more than a year – by that time vets decided it was too cruel to keep the dog alive.
Although he was convicted last year and banned from purchasing, acquiring or taking possession of any animal for two years, he is still able to to keep the two dogs he currently owns after a successful appeal.
The RSPCA were alerted to the man’s Wyong home on the NSW Central Coast in February 2019 after a tip off from a concerned resident.
A negligent pet owner who let a stomach-turning tumour grow on his English Staffy’s face has narrowly escaped home detention and will be allowed to keep his other dogs, despite two previous convictions for animal cruelty
When the inspector saw the male four-year-old brindle English Staffordshire Terrier, the ‘large black fleshy tumor’ was covering the entire right side of its face.
‘A certificate of expert evidence by the examining veterinarian considered that the tumour on the dog had been allowed to develop to such a large size, over a long period of time, that it was affecting the dog’s wellbeing,’ the RSPCA said.
‘This length of time also denied the opportunity and the ability to be able to remove the mass surgically well enough to give the dog a reasonable quality of life.’
Social media users were outraged by the Gosford District Court’s decision to vary the conditions attached to the Intensive Corrections Order.
‘Can’t believe he ‘successfully appealed the severity of his sentence’. Our legal system is pathetic,’ one user wrote on Facebook.
Another said: ‘This is heinous on the part of the dog owner, but the result shows an appalling and unacceptable lack of humanity. We should all be angered by this.’
‘The court system is too lenient on people that abuse animals. Shameful … Some people don’t deserve a pet in their life,’ others posted.
The Gosford District Court (pictured) overturned the 44-year-old’s order for home detention on appeal
But, there was a portion of sympathy for the offender from some members of the public.
‘I know there should be harsher punishment for this man … But sometimes you can’t afford to take your animal to the vet due to the enormous money they charge. You almost have to take out a mortgage on your house to go to the Vet,’ one person wrote.
But RSPCA NSW Chief Inspector Scott Meyers said there are always options available to make sure animals do not suffer needlessly.
‘Organisations like ours can provide assistance to those in need of extra help, advice or support so that we as a community can work towards improving animal welfare outcomes together,’ he said.
‘It is crucial that pet owners seek veterinary treatment for their sick, injured or unhealthy animals in a timely manner.’
The man convicted has been ordered to undergo a mental health program and must report by telephone to Wyong Community Corrections.