A Corio woman convicted of animal cruelty has been given a suspended jail sentence after eight dogs were found in her suburban backyard. Wendy Mankelow, 35, ignored a five-year ban imposed in 2001 when she was found guilty of several breaches under the Cruelty to Animals Act.
At least 83 animals - including chickens, a goat, puppies, ducks, dogs, cats, peacocks and a turtle - were confiscated from her home during three raids by the city council in 2000.
Some of those animals later died due to poor health.
Mankelow, of Ontario Avenue, pleaded guilty in Geelong Magistrates' Court on April 19, 2005 to 12 new charges including having custody of an animal while banned from doing so.
The eight dogs found on her residential property included a great dane, a German Shepherd, a maltese terrier, a pug and a blue heeler cross.
The court heard the dogs were in reasonable condition and Mankelow was caught out after registering a dog in her name.
She ignored three notices from the City of Greater Geelong warning her it was illegal to keep more than two dogs.
Shane Balkin, for Mankelow, said his client's partner was the owner of the dogs and they were in good order.
He said Mankelow was on a sole parent pension and had a teenage son to support.
Magistrate Ian von Einem said the defendant was issued with warnings that she had too many dogs and she went ahead and brought more.
``What have you got eight dogs on a residential premises for?'' Mr von Einem asked.
``She shouldn't have had animals there, she was aware of that. It is contemptible behaviour one time after another.''
Mr von Einem said he was absolutely amazed that Mankelow had not paid a cent toward the thousands of dollars in fines that he had imposed four years ago.
He said it was time she faced the music and sentenced her to three months' jail suspended for 12 months. She was also ordered to pay $1000 costs.
RSPCA officer Jason Nicholls yesterday said he was unsure what had become of the dogs because there was no power under the act to take them.
``Despite the fact a person can be convicted of cruelty and banned from having custody of animals, and then found guilty of breaching that ban, there is no provision under the act to seize and remove them,'' Mr Nicholls said. References | Geelong Info - April 20, 2005 |
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