Cheyd

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/break...r-fined-20-000/ A Perth Magistrate has labelled a 71-year-old man a "disgrace to the human race" and fined him $20,000 after hearing graphic details of how the elderly charity worker tortured a kitten with his two dogs because he suspected it was killing native birds. John William Connell pleaded guilty today to what the RSPCA say is one of the worst cases of animal cruelty they have ever seen. On February 1 this year Connell of Beckenham was spotted by a neighbour kicking a cat around a park. When the cat tried to escape he set his two dogs on the animal, the dogs attacked it before Connell told them to stop, took the cat and threw it several metres away with the dogs chasing after it. He continued to use the cat to play with his dogs before eventually taking the body of the animal and throwing it into a creek. In sentencing Magistrate Michael Wheeler said the incident was a "sustained act of vile cruelty." "You tortured this cat and treated it like a cockroach," he said. Mr Wheeler heard Connell has worked as a guide dog trainer for 20 years and does charity work at Graylands Hospital and the Seventh Day Adventist Aged Care home in Rossmoyne where he takes his dogs to interact with residents as part of animal therapy. For this reason Mr Wheeler rejected the RSPCA’s application to have Connell banned from being in charge of an animal for five years, but said a serious fine needed to be imposed and rejected Connell’s application for a spent conviction order as the offence was "too serious." Connell attempted to address the Magistrate at one point during the proceedings, telling him he was worried about feral cats killing native birds. Mr Wheeler advised him to sit down and let his lawyer speak for him. Connell was also ordered to pay $2121.95 in costs. Poor kitten, I am horrified that someone can do that to another living animal

Emery, we went down to La Salle tonight and its a great place to walk the dogs. Looking forward to exploring it more over the next few nights and thanks for the tip about mossie spray too

Thanks Emery, I think we will head down there tonight and check it out Faolmor, I wondered about that off leash area at Whiteman Park and what sort of people/dogs you would meet down there, like the idea of wandering around the park tho, so will check that out on the weekend Thanks for the replies

Hi Can anyone recommend a good park/grassy area to let your dogs have a run, somewhere close to Midland? I would love to give my dogs an off leash run but really not sure of any good and safe spots to do so Cheers

stories like this make me so mad

Oh Kirty I am so sorry for your loss Run free now Phoebe, RIP

Congrats on your award and the story, great photo

You made his last few months worth living Kirty, I am sure he will be eternally grateful for the kindness you showed him Another angel you know Run free now Rex, you handsome man

We lift Merlin and Dexter up on the bed and down, Dexter can almost jump up but Merlin doesnt even try We also lift them both in and out of the car We have a Dachshund here at the moment and well he cant reach to jump up on the bed so we lift him up and also down. We have steps to the couches so he uses them and then usually waits to be lifted down

My Holly used to lick my legs after a shower too RIP Max, your a beautiful Sheltie angel now

Great post Souff, I agree 100%

Good idea Souff Here is a link for lighting virtual candles http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/candles.cfm?l=eng I will light a real one when I get home tonight

I am nowhere near there but will email a few friends that live up that way, hope he makes it home soon the lead from Willow leads you too him

The photo I saw published when the story was run is just so beautiful, the look of absolute adoration on the soldiers face as he looks at his dog is so touching May they both Rest In Peace together

Your ginger ninja is just gorgeous and getting more gorgeous by the day, Pia is stunning too And together they make beautiful photos

Hi I have an almost full bag of Hills Prescription diet z/d Ultra allergen free bag (8kilos) free to anyone who can use it? PM if you are interested

Have you popped into the WA thread and asked in there? sorry I am in the hills so couldnt recommend anyone close to you

I am so sorry for your loss Indigirl, Wally looked so happy in that photo Bark free now Wally

First photo I thought were some twigs too, good photos Kirty Hope I never run into one or a web he has thrown

WOW that looks amazing, fantastic job to everyone who contributed

He is bootiful love the flexibubble

Thinking of you all today, a hard decision but I know you will make the right one for your girl

There was a thread about this story when it was first reported http://www.dolforums.com.au/index.php?show...;hl=drowned+dog

That's alright. I am probably a bit OTT on that subject as it came up on the horse forum I was on with people saying they should be let out. It is actually an offence to allow stock onto the roads during an emergency as the risk to emergency personnel is too high. Roads are closed to allow emergency vehicles clear access without worrying that they will hit someone - the last thing they need is to be rushing to an emergency and hit a loose horse or cow ;) Grass fires move quickly and while wide they are usually not that deep so stock can run back through. At least now I know what to do if I ever am faced with that sort of situation - thank you

NOOOOO!!!!!! That is the last thing anyone should do Horses actually have a fairly high survival rate if left in their own familiar environment. The horses would have turned and jumped back through the flames and except for being a bit singed should in theory be ok. The worst thing is the hot ground on the other side unless the horses have anything on. Although at times like this I am very thankful that my paddocks are pretty well bare in summer. By letting horses out of the paddock you run the risk of them bolting in front of an emergency vehicle when there is limited visibility I didnt realise they would have a high survival rate if left in their paddock, I am not a horse owner and thought it would be the right thing to do Sorry