A MOUNT Warrigal woman found guilty of aggravated animal cruelty has been banned from owning, purchasing, acquiring or caring for any animal for 20 years.
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Vicki Lee Edwards appeared in Wollongong Local Court on Thursday to face one charge of aggravated animal cruelty against a female Staffordshire crossbreed dog in her care.
Ms Edwards pleaded guilty and was convicted.
She was fined and ordered to report to Wollongong Police for fingerprinting and a 20-year prohibition order was imposed.
Ms Edwards was convicted of one charge of aggravated animal cruelty and placed on a two-year Good Behaviour Bond.
A fine of $5000 and costs ($456) were also imposed.
She was ordered to report to Wollongong Police within seven days for fingerprinting and she was also banned from owning, purchasing, acquiring or caring for any animal for 20 years. ‘
On August 15, an RSPCA NSW inspector attended a property in Mount Warrigal in response to a complaint about a dog.
The inspector had attended the property on a previous occasion regarding the same dog.
Upon arrival the inspector observed the dog lying fully stretched out against the rear fence.
The dog was also in an emaciated body condition, with hair loss and around its rump and thickened skin around its tail and rear legs. The dog was immediately seized and taken for veterinary treatment.
On August 23, the inspector returned to the Mount Warrigal property and interviewed Ms Edwards.
During the interview Ms Edwards stated reluctance to take the dog to a vet as she feared being told it required euthanasia.
She also stated that she felt the dog wasn’t suffering and was attending to its wounds herself.
Veterinary records obtained by RSPCA NSW showed that Ms Edwards had attended for a consult on January 9, and antibiotics were prescribed for the dog with a re-assessment recommended in seven days.
Ms Edwards did not return the dog to the veterinary hospital for further treatment.
The dog was humanely euthanased as it was deemed too cruel to keep her alive due to the severity of her medical conditions.