Woman Fined $111,000 - Nowra Local Court

[Steve]

http://www.bluemountainsgazette.com.au/story/1727902/woman-fined-100000-in-pet-cruelty-disgrace/?cs=2452

A woman has been ordered to pay more than $111,000 in fines and costs after pleading guilty to "disgraceful" acts of animal cruelty.

The charges were laid after RSPCA inspectors and Shoalhaven City Council rangers responded to complaints of animal cruelty and went to Marion's house on November 30 last year.Janine Marion of Terara pleaded guilty to 14 charges of aggravated animal cruelty against eight cats and 12 dogs in her care when she appeared in Nowra Local Court this week.

During their investigations, they saw two poodle crossbreeds on short, tangled tethers and two other poodle crossbreeds tethered to a car, all without access to water.

The court heard eight cats were discovered squashed inside three cages inside the car.

Urine and faeces covered the car's upholstery, and none of the cats had access to water.

Magistrate Michael Stoddart heard that Marion tried to remove the cat cages from the vehicle before being cautioned by the inspectors and asked to move away.

When she refused, police were called.

The four poodle crossbreeds, four cattle crossbreed pups, a Maltese crossbreed pup and a silky terrier crossbreed were seized from other parts of the property.

These animals also had no access to food or water.

Inspection of the interior of the house revealed a further two poodle crossbreed pups in a carry cage. Both pups were underweight and were immediately seized.

Veterinary examination of the animals found several of them to be severely underweight and six tested positive for hookworm.

In sentencing, Mr Stoddart said Marion's conduct towards the animals had been "disgraceful and shameful" and their condition "stomach churning".

She was ordered to pay $28,000 in fines and $83,243.58 in professional fees.He placed Marion on a two-year good behaviour bond, prohibited her from owning animals for five years and instructed her to report to police for fingerprinting.

[Her Majesty Dogmad]

An excellent fine but she doesn't deserve to ever own another living thing, I wouldn't even give her a plant. What a scumbag, there is NO excuse.

[WreckitWhippet]

Sounds rather excessive for being underweight, no water and 6 cases of hookworm.

You'd get less for killing someone in this state

[Angeluca]

Sounds rather excessive for being underweight, no water and 6 cases of hookworm.

You'd get less for killing someone in this state

Maybe one of those example for deterrence cases.

[sandgrubber]

Sounds rather excessive for being underweight, no water and 6 cases of hookworm.

You'd get less for killing someone in this state

Maybe one of those example for deterrence cases.

You can't get blood out of a turnip. Sounds like the woman isn't right in the head and probably doesn't have assets to cover the fine. A life ban on owning animals . . . .that is monitored . .. might be more appropriate.

[Steve]

If she was guilty she deserves to be punished. My problem is that if she were accused of anything else she would be prosecuted by the public prosecutor and she wouldnt have to pay for that - all she would be responsible for is her own legal fees to defend herself or she may be even eligible for legal aid and she has the right to defend herself. Her legal fees would not include the 83,000 which the RSPCA says it spent in prosecuting her.

[Christina]

Not understanding the 5 year ban surely someone like this would not be allowed to own animals again. Is there a legal maximum time that they can order a ban ?

Sickening & disgusting situation.