On Monday, a 27-year-old female was sentenced by His Honour Magistrate Maloney in the Brisbane Magistrates Court for five (5) charges of animal cruelty under section 18(1) of the Animal Care and Protection Act 2001 (Qld).

The Magistrate found that the defendant unjustifiably, unnecessarily, or unreasonably injured or wounded two cats by causing them to fall from a balcony, and three birds by substantially cutting the wings off the birds.

The defendant was sentenced as follows:

  • Probation Order – 3 years (with special conditions)
  • Fine - $3,000
  • Legal Professional Costs - $1,860
  • Court costs - $103.60
  • Veterinary costs - $220

A conviction was not recorded.

The defendant was prohibited for owning any animals for 15 years.

The defendant purchased animals on Gumtree and would also foster cats and kittens for a rescue group.

In June 2020, the defendant adopted two cats from a pet rescue group, they were five weeks old at the time. On a date unknown between 1 January 2021 and 12 January 2021 the defendant caused the cats to fall from the window of her 30th floor apartment.

The deceased cats were found by a member of the public and RSPCA Inspectors notified.

Our Inspectors brought the bodies of the deceased cats into the RSPCA for post mortems to be conducted.

It appeared from the injuries sustained, that one cat had landed on its back end, causing its pelvis to shatter. There were large pieces of separated lung, free blood in the throat, its liver was ruptured in several places, and both hind legs were swollen.

This poor cat would have bled from laceration to the liver and abdomen, and haemorrhage form lung trauma.

The second cat’s post mortem noted severe trauma to its abdomen and contents especially the areas of its liver and kidney on the upper right side due to pressure from ribs, subcutaneous and intramuscular bleeding into the muscles over the skull, and bruising over the right mandibular joint.

This poor cat also suffered a terrible end.

On a date unknown between 1 January 2021 and 12 February 2021, the defendant purchased two Budgerigar type birds and one Cockatiel type bird from Gumtree. The defendant started watching YouTube tutorials on how to trim birds wings, she then proceeded to cut the wings off the three birds.

These birds ultimately died.

The Magistrate stated, “I do accept the prosecutor’s submission that they died in the most horrendous manner. The terror that they must have felt just before their lives ended is almost unspeakable.”

“The offending today, although extremely serious, for the reasons I have outlined, does not call for a period of imprisonment, suspended or otherwise, and I am satisfied that probation for lengthy period with two special conditions will assist with that purpose of rehabilitation.” >

RSPCA Queensland spokesperson Emma Lagoon says, “It makes you sick to the stomach knowing and seeing how these animals suffered a horrific death,”

“While no sentence can bring these poor animals back, this person cannot own any animals for a period of 15 years.”

“While we must respect the Magistrate’s decision, I’m sure many animal lovers would expect these cruel and vile acts to result in actual jail time.”

If you see animal cruelty or have an animal welfare concern, report it to the RSPCA on 1300 ANIMAL (264 625).