A 51-year-old Strathalbyn man has been sentenced to a $500 good behaviour bond after pleading guilty to one count of animal ill-treatment for failing to provide a dog in his care with adequate food, after RSPCA inspectors found the animal severely emaciated.
In the Mount Barker Magistrates Court yesterday, the man was also ordered to pay $338 legal and $1,500 boarding and care costs to the RSPCA and is subject to a prohibition order that allows one dog to remain in his care albeit with RSPCA able to inspect once per six months for the next two years.
In Court, Magistrate Davis said “a pet depends on its owner for all sustenance and care, and this is really disgraceful.”
The man was charged with failure to provide adequate food for his severely emaciated crossbreed dog, Carly (pictured).
On 27 November 2024, an RSPCA SA Inspector first attended the Strathalbyn property in response to a cruelty report concerning an underweight dog. The inspector found two dogs – one dog which was owned by the defendant appeared to be in relatively good health, while the other dog (Carly), which was owned by the defendant’s adult son, looked to be severely underweight and with a skin condition.
The son was not present at the time, so the defendant was instructed by the Inspector to take the dog to the vet.
On 1 June 2025, RSPCA received another cruelty report concerning Carly’s weight. Two Inspectors attended the property and observed that Carly was still severely underweight, wobbly when walking and lethargic.
“The Inspectors entered the back garden and found that the there was no food available to the dogs. Water was accessible, however, the container was dirty and had green discoloration. The only visible shelter options were a shed containing tyres, planks of wood, and household items, leaving no clear floor space for the dogs to enter, rest or lie down. There was also a kennel, but the entrance was obstructed by a children’s climbing frame, preventing access,” the RSPCA said in a statement.
Due to Carly’s extremely poor body condition, the Inspectors made the decision to seize the dog and transport her to RSPCA’s Animal Care Campus at O’Halloran Hill for veterinary review.
The examining veterinarian reported that Carly weighed only 9.7kg, with a body condition score (BCS) of 1/9, confirming that she was severely emaciated (a BCS of 5/9 is considered ideal). In addition, Carly was diagnosed with moderate flea burden.
“On 12 June 2025, an RSPCA Inspector returned to the property to check on the remaining dog and the defendant’s compliance with the Animal Welfare Notice. She found that the dog now had access to fresh water from a clean vessel, and an additional metal bowl had been provided. The dog was also able to access the kennel as the children’s frame that was obstructing the entry had been removed.”
“On 23 June 2025, the Inspector wrote to the defendant offering to accept surrender of Carly, but at the time of writing he had not responded. On 11 September 2025, Carly was forfeited via a court order.”
In RSPCA SA’s care, Carly was placed on a refeeding plan and has since returned to a healthy weight and been rehomed.
Under SA’s Animal Welfare Act, the maximum penalty for animal cruelty is $20,000 or two years’ imprisonment. For an aggravated cruelty offence, the maximum penalty is $50,000 or four years’ imprisonment.
Members of the public who witness animal cruelty or neglect are urged to make an online report at https://www.rspcasa.org.au/services/inspectorate/report-cruelty/. Or call RSPCA’s cruelty report hotline on 1300 477 722 (open 6:30am-6:30pm).
