Couple sentenced for neglecting more than 100 pets

A South Australian man and woman have been sentenced to good behaviour bonds for mistreating more than 100 animals.

Dylan Joseph John Thomas, 26, and Paige Danni Turner, 22, pleaded guilty to charges relating to pets they kept at their Mount Gambier home, including cats, a dog, chickens and more than 120 other birds.

Inspectors were sent to the home in January last year when the RSPCA received reports of animal cruelty.

They found the animals living in poor conditions, with no fresh water available and about a month's worth of faeces uncollected.

There were more than 120 birds at the property, with only one water bowl for them. ( Supplied: RSPCA SA )

The dog – named Daisy – was also in poor physical condition, with inspectors issuing two Animal Welfare Notices.

The RSPCA said that, when inspectors attended the property a month later, conditions had not improved substantially and two more Animal Welfare Notices were issued.

In March, inspectors were still not satisfied that conditions had improved and the dog, two cats, nine chickens and 124 birds were seized.

RSPCA South Australia inspector Stuart Thomas said people should carefully consider how many animals they decide to keep

"We deal with a lot of cases like this where people willingly get animals far beyond their means," he said.

"It is always frustrating when you try to initiate any enforcement around it and there's complaints about the costs of having that many animals.

"It was completely unreasonable for them to have that number of animals."

Mobility issues impacting care

Both defendants pleaded guilty in May, after a request to forfeit the seized animals was approved in December.

The court heard Ms Turner had been involved in a traumatic accident in July 2024, when she broke four ribs, a vertebra and fractured and dislocated her hip when she was run over by a car.

Her lawyer said she still had movement and pain issues and was travelling to Adelaide by car weekly to visit her daughter, with the journey taking up to three days round-trip.

Mr Thomas acquired Daisy as a support animal after an assault in 2021. ( Supplied: RSPCA SA )

While the pair had asked a friend to check on the animals while they were away, they felt it was inappropriate to ask them to clear the faeces from the enclosures.

Mr Thomas's lawyer said he was Ms Turner's full-time carer, driving her to appointments and to visit their child in Adelaide.

The court also heard that the dog Daisy was an emotional support animal for Mr Thomas after he was the victim of a serious assault in 2021.

Bearded dragons were found at the property. ( Supplied: RSPCA )

'Unintentional reoffending' concerns

The court heard Mr Thomas's uncle had since moved into the property after charges were laid, adding a further 10 guinea pigs, six chickens and nine pigeons to the property.

Beverly Wilson, representing the RSPCA, said there was a high likelihood the pair could break the law again unintentionally, and asked for the court to order regular inspections to ensure the remaining animals were kept in good conditions.

The lawyer also asked Magistrate Kylie Schulz to restrict Mr Thomas and Ms Turner from acquiring any more animals, as well as paying the vet costs for the seized pets.

The RSPCA was concerned that the couple could unintentionally reoffend without regular inspections. ( Supplied: RSPCA SA )

Magistrate Schulz sentenced the pair to 12-month good behaviour bonds, banned them from acquiring more pets and ordered them to pay fines and vet costs.

Magistrate Schulz said she was satisfied the couple were now in a position to care for their remaining animals.

"While you may be a lover of animals, it's not a one-way street," she said.

"Loving animals involves a great responsibility of caring for animals."

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