Infected eyeballs, emaciated dogs and dying puppies: Man, 60, charged with animal cruelty over the horrific treatment of 16 of his pets AVOIDS jail

  •  Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy with a ruptured eye had to be euthanased
  •  Man kept 16 dogs many of whom had lost all their hair on his NSW property 
  •  60-year-old man sentenced to eight months' jail for cruelty walks free on appeal
  • Jail deemed too cruel for the perpetrator due to his own age and ill-health

By Alison Bevege For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 22:27 EDT, 18 October 2018 | Updated: 22:27 EDT, 18 October 2018

A 60-year-old man sentenced to jail for animal cruelty walked free from court when a judge found he would have a hard time in prison due to his age and ill-health.

Peter Bruce Hatcher of the northern NSW town of Inverell was convicted in July of seven counts of animal cruelty and sentenced to eight months' jail.

An inspection officer from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) found 16 dogs in poor condition at the man's property in April.

Many of the dogs had eye infections and skin complaints requiring urgent medical treatment

Many of the dogs had eye infections and skin complaints requiring urgent medical treatment

One of the puppies, a King Charles Cavalier Spaniel, was severely emaciated, anaemic, ridden with scabies and its eyes were infected with conjunctivitis.

It was so sick that a veterinarian said it was four weeks too late to save the dog, and it had to be put down.  

The remaining 10 dogs and five puppies were found to be flea-infested and emaciated.

They suffered from a range of problems including severe mange, skin infections, a ruptured left cornea, overgrown nails and dental disease.

One puppy with a ruptured eye had to be put down after a vet said it was four weeks too late to save it. Peter Bruce Hatcher of Inverell was found guilty of animal cruelty over its condition

One puppy with a ruptured eye had to be put down after a vet said it was four weeks too late to save it. Peter Bruce Hatcher of Inverell was found guilty of animal cruelty over its condition

On July 26, Magistrate M. Dakin at the Inverell Local Court convicted Hatcher for animal cruelty, gave him an eight-month jail sentence and ordered him to pay almost $7000 in RSPCA vet fees for treating his dogs. 

But Hatcher walked free after lodging a severity appeal against the jail term.

On appeal, Hatcher argued that jail would be difficult due to his ill health and age.

Many of the dogs found were losing their hair from chronic skin conditions

Many of the dogs found were losing their hair from chronic skin conditions

The RSPCA took care of the animals, treating them with medication and bringing them back

The RSPCA took care of the animals, treating them with medication and bringing them back

Judge J. McLennan determined on appeal that Mr Hatcher would have a hard time in jail and instead imposed fines totalling $12,100, the RSPCA reported.

He has been restricted from owning any more than six dogs for the next five years. 

The surviving dogs have been re-homed.  

The NSW RSPCA re-homed 14,037 animals last year.                 

If you are in New South Wales and can give an abandoned pet a new home contact the NSW RSPCA here.

One of the rehabilitated dogs that found a new home through the RSPCA. If you can give an abandoned pet a new home, contact the RSPCA in your state or territory

One of the rehabilitated dogs that found a new home through the RSPCA. If you can give an abandoned pet a new home, contact the RSPCA in your state or territory

 

 

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Infected eyeballs, emaciated and dying puppies: Man, 60, charged with animal cruelty AVOIDS jail

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