TWO Burradoo residents were ordered to pay costs totaling almost $90,000 when they faced charges related to animal cruelty at Moss Vale Local Court recently.
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Co-accused Tristan Tottenham and Kaye Wilson-Tottenham, of Old Bong Bong Way, were convicted of a string of charges when they appeared in court on December 14 and January 9 respectively.
The pair was found guilty of failing to provide vet treatment for three dogs and four cats, failing to provide food for a cat, committing an act of cruelty upon three cats and failing to exercise reasonable care to prevent cruelty to two cockatiels.
According to court documents, RSPCA inspectors attended the Burradoo residence at 1.30pm on February 25, 2010, in response to a complaint.
The court heard Tottenham refused to let inspectors onto the property after they saw 15 dogs in the front yard.
The inspectors said they saw three Shitzu Terriers which appeared to be in poor health, one with runny eyes, another wobbling on its hind legs and a third walking stiffly.
The 70-year-old told inspectors the dogs belonged to his wife and he was taking care of them while she was sick.
An additional Shitzu was noticed to be on the verandah of the house and Tottenham brought the dog to the inspectors when requested.
The dog's fur was matted and inspectors said the animal smelt of urine and faeces.
Three dogs were seized by the RSPCA and taken to Moss Vale Veterinary Hospital's Dr Kay Weller to be treated and for a report to be prepared.
Dr Weller's report noted the condition of the dogs' teeth would have caused the animals pain for at least 12 months and the matting of fur would have pulled painfully on the creatures' skin and restricted movement.
The report said the "dogs would have been in severe discomfort for at least 12 months due to the presence of thick and extensive mats".
The court heard RSPCA inspectors returned to the property on February 26, 2010, and spoke with Wilson-Tottenham, who refused to let RSPCA personnel onto the property for an inspection.
A warrant was obtained and a search of the property conducted by RSPCA personnel and council rangers on March 2, 2010.
During the search, 18 cats in hutches and cages with overflowing litter trays and no water as well as two cockatiels in poor condition were found and seized.
An Abyssinian cat was also seized by RSPCA personnel after it was seen to have running eyes and diarrhea.
RSPCA NSW Chief Veterinarian Dr Magdoline Awad examined the Abyssinian cat and found it to be suffering emaciated body condition, chronic scarring and a large ulcer on the right eye, brown discharge coming from its ears, low protein, diarrhea and pale mucous membranes.
Tottenham and Wilson-Tottenham also each received an 18 month good behaviour bond and were banned from purchasing, acquiring or possessing any animals for 10 years and seven years respectively.
