An awful scene confronted RSPCA inspectors when they entered a Batemans Bay house and were hit by a toxic stench that included decaying dead animals “embedded in mounds” of contaminated rubbish.
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The case against Batemans Bay cleaner Helen Shepheard, convicted of eight counts of animal cruelty involving dozens of animals living in filth at her Crown St home, has been described as among the worst cases of animal neglect uncovered on the South Coast.
However NSW RSPCA chief inspector David OShannessy said yesterday it was a matter of severe neglect rather than intentional cruelty.
The RSPCA seized 89 animals from Ms Shepheard’s home, including dogs, cats, rabbits and birds.
Sadly, Mr OShannessy said most of the animals had been so damaged by their living conditions they had to be euthanased.
Some of the puppies, however, did go to new homes.
“It is one of the more significant investigations in recent years on the South Coast,” Mr OShannessy said.
“Quite significant because of the number of animals and the conditions they were forced to endure.
“Regretfully, as a consequence of a number of factors including behavioral and veterinary issues they (most) were not suitable for adoption.”
Ms Shepheard, 68, was ordered last week by local court magistrate David Degnan to pay $50,000 toward the veterinary and boarding costs of her seized animals, and $6000 towards the RSPCA’s legal costs after pleading guilty to eight charges of committing acts of animal cruelty upon multiple animals.
Charges were laid under the NSW Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and Regulations after an RSPC investigation of complaints about the welfare of cats at her home last December.
Four RSPCA Inspectors and a veterinarian obtained a search warrant to enter and assess the condition of animals inside her home.
They seized animals including 49 cats and kittens, seven dogs, 12 puppies, 11 rabbits, five roosters and five birds.
Treated by veterinarians, all animals were reported to have suffered “severe neglect and deprivation”.
The RSPCA described the stench of the house as “toxic with years of accumulated animal urine, faeces, and contaminated rubbish”.
Many of the animals were living in small filthy cages, some stacked upon others. Their food and water was contaminated with urine, faeces, dirt and fur.
Dead animals were embedded in mounds of contaminated rubbish on the floor, in cages and in the outside cattery.
Officers reported there was no evidence of any attempt to clean or maintain a reasonable standard of hygiene in the animal cages, cattery or aviaries.
In most cases newspaper was layered over the top of soiled paper to depths of up to 30cm.
Ms Shepheard was convicted and placed on a three year good behavior bond.
Magistrate Degnan prohibited her from owning animals for 10 years with the exception of a desexed dog and a cat.
The bond includes a condition to allow RSPCA officers to inspect her property to ensure Ms Shepheard is complying with the prohibition order.
