Pictured: Dog hoarder pleads guilty after dozens of Koolies discovered wedged in cages
WARNING - GRAPHIC CONTENT: A NSW dog hoarder has been found guilty of animal cruelty to 51 dogs who were discovered living in squalor, many stacked on top of each other in tiny cages.
After receiving complaints of an illegal puppy factory, NSW Police made their way to a Gunnedah property where they discovered a total of 73 dogs, with 31 requiring veterinary examination.
Following the inspection, the RSPCA seized 51 Koolies and mixed breed dogs from 62-year-old Leith Gatenby after they went untreated for an array of serious health issues.
She pleaded guilty to nine charges of animal cruelty, which includes an act of aggravated cruelty in relation to a female Koolie that had health issues so severe veterinarians deemed it cruel her for to be kept alive.
“The squalid conditions these dogs were forced to live in screams of Gatenby’s inability to care for all 73 dogs,” RSPCA NSW Deputy Chief Inspector Scott Meyers said.
“There were cages stacked upon cages, some with doors rusted shut it had been that long since they’d been opened.
"As an inspector, you never get used to seeing this level of hoarding and neglect.”
The court heard that 50 dogs went untreated for flea burdens, 36 dogs were emaciated, 34 dogs had ear infections, 18 dogs were found with conjunctivitis, seven dogs with untreated eye issues and one was found with a Necrotic tissue wound obtained as a result of a dog fight.
His Honour Magistrate McPherson convicted Ms Gatenby on all nine sequences saying there was no chance such a large number of animals were ever going to receive the care they needed.
“There needs to be a clear message sent to the community that this type of treatment is not acceptable,” Magistrate McPherson said.
Gatenby was ordered to pay total veterinary and boarding costs incurred for the 51 dogs totalling $130,647.19.
She was also prohibited from owning any more than five desexed dogs and ordered to surrender or rehome the remaining dogs in her care within 28 days.
