Cash-strapped dog abuser pleads guilty

Takanini woman Robin Olive pleaded guilty yesterday to ill-treating a dog in her care and was sentenced to 100 hours community work and was disqualified from owning dogs for five years.

On 13 December 2012 an SPCA Inspector, acting on a tip-off, discovered ‘Lady’ – a white, female, Whippet Bull Terrier crossbreed – tied up at Olive’s Takanini address. The dog was in poor body condition, with backbone, hips, and ribs clearly visible, and she was covered in sores.

The dog was seized and transported to SPCA Auckland for a veterinary examination and treatment. She weighed only 12.5kg and was suffering from generalised demodectic mange.

The Veterinarian concluded that the dog’s poor condition was due to inadequate feeding for many days, if not weeks. He also stated that being significantly underweight and suffering from mange would have caused the dog ongoing distress, and that any lay person should have realised the dog was underweight and in need of veterinary treatment.

Veterinary records show the dog had been suffering from severe mange since July 2012 but Olive had not been able to afford proper treatment. SPCA Auckland has also provided numerous food parcels and shelter for ‘Lady’ in the past. Olive admitted that she was struggling financially and found it difficult to provide her dog with medication and food.

“This case sends a clear signal to dog owners that being short of cash is no excuse – you are responsible for providing adequate food, vet treatment, and other necessities for your animals,” says Christine Kalin, CEO of SPCA Auckland.

“If you can’t provide for your animals, then please seek help from family, friends, or community organisations.”

‘Lady’ has now been forfeited to SPCA Auckland and will be put up for adoption as soon as possible.

ENDS

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