Steve Posted May 29, 2013 Share Posted May 29, 2013 My link Charges of animal cruelty against a man accused of going on holiday and leaving his dog to die have been dismissed and the RSPCA has been ordered to pay more than $5000 in court costs. Laurance Guilfoyle, 46, faced a charge of not taking reasonable steps to alleviate harm for the pet which was found suffering at his home in Fremantle while he was away. In court on Tuesday it was alleged that RSPCA inspectors attended his Fremantle home in January last year after neighbours complained about an animal in distress. The inspectors found a blue heeler dog, known as "Bessie" laying on its side under a tree. Advertisement The animal appeared to be gasping for breath with dilated pupils and bright red gums, the court was told. Mr Guilfoyle told the court on Tuesday that he left a bone and buckets of water for the dog who was suffering from cancer while he went away. He said he did not take the dog to a vet before leaving for his holiday, as it would have "stressed her out." After the RSPCA found her a decision was made to have the dog put down on humane grounds after a vet examination found the dog was suffering from a state of infectious shock and would not survive longer than a few hours. The matter was dismissed in court on Wednesday and the RSPCA has been ordered to pay Mr Guilfoyle's legal costs of $5478. Read more: http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/rspca-to-pay-for-taking-dog-owner-to-court-20130529-2naev.html#ixzz2Uit4tRHE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosetta Posted May 29, 2013 Share Posted May 29, 2013 What a shame the prosecution failed - that is just cruel IMO. To leave a dog to fend for itself out in the yard when it is suffering from cancer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minimax Posted May 29, 2013 Share Posted May 29, 2013 That seems a bit wrong, and seems to send the message that's ok to leave your pet suffering and dying without providing adequate medical care I wonder what the grounds for dismissal were, and why the RSPCA had to pay the mans legal costs. Probably because he provided "adequate food, water and shelter" under the RSPCA's own standards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Posted May 30, 2013 Author Share Posted May 30, 2013 That seems a bit wrong, and seems to send the message that's ok to leave your pet suffering and dying without providing adequate medical care I wonder what the grounds for dismissal were, and why the RSPCA had to pay the mans legal costs. Probably because he provided "adequate food, water and shelter" under the RSPCA's own standards It sort of makes you feel that you havent heard all of the story doesnt it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OSoSwift Posted May 30, 2013 Share Posted May 30, 2013 Thre has to be more to it than that surely. And yes to leave a dog by itself is not good but to leave one you know is unwell is just plain neglectful Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dame Aussie Posted May 30, 2013 Share Posted May 30, 2013 Scumbag Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j Posted May 31, 2013 Share Posted May 31, 2013 Might be worth looking for the court transcripts in a few weeks/months, there is definitely a bit more to this story. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeckoTree Posted May 31, 2013 Share Posted May 31, 2013 Certainly dragged on for a while, is that normal? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Her Majesty Dogmad Posted May 31, 2013 Share Posted May 31, 2013 (edited) Something's not right but whatever, the owner should never have left a sick dog and gone on holiday. This doesn't send a good message to people who are cruel to animals through neglect, ignorance or sadism. I've left a sick dog before - in the vet - they charged me more for his board per night (as it involved medication) than my own accomm cost me at the time (it was a cheapie weekend away), it was quite a shock but I wouldn't have been able to leave him anywhere else. After that I didn't take a weekend or holiday away for 6 years because of his health issues. Edited May 31, 2013 by dogmad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WreckitWhippet Posted May 31, 2013 Share Posted May 31, 2013 Can't wait to hear the other side of this story. Time for more owners to take on and stand up to the RSPCA I frequently looked after a small dog while it's owners went on holidays. He was left with water, food and me checking on him a couple of times a day. I went down one morning to find him laying in the yard in similar circumstances to the dog mentioned. I took him to the vet and he only lasted a few hours before he died. He'd appeared a bit "down" while his owners were away but his health declined very rapidly. Cancer claimed him too . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirislin Posted May 31, 2013 Share Posted May 31, 2013 I do wonder what the full story is, but the owner said he left the dog a bone and buckets of water. A bone is hardly adequate food for a dog left for who knows how long. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andisa Posted June 1, 2013 Share Posted June 1, 2013 Hope to follow this one, wondering if the bone was more than just a bone so the dog had plenty of food, water and shelter which are the basics anyway - can't wait to hear more of what really happened..and how long the holiday was. The vet clinic can be a frightening place for many animals and for some the trip there is even worse. I sure as hell don't agree with leaving the dog home alone while he was gone for how ever long he planned but there is heaps missing from this story that got him off the hook leaving the RSPCA to foot the bill. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dame Aussie Posted June 1, 2013 Share Posted June 1, 2013 I just wouldn't leave an unwell dog alone at all I would forgo the trip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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