A woman accused of leaving her dog to die in the backseat of her car has told a magistrate she “agrees” she is guilty, but said she thinks someone else killed the animal.
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Anh Dinh appeared in the Launceston Magistrates Court on Wednesday to face a charge of aggravated cruelty after her dog allegedly died of heatstroke while she was waiting outside a vet clinic at Mowbray in 2016.
Fronting the court unrepresented, she told Magistrate Simon Brown she was guilty, but said it was “not the first time my dog died”.
“I agree with you I’m guilty … but … I must say something,” she said.
Pulling a photo of another dog out of her bag and holding it up to Mr Brown, Ms Dinh said, “I think someone killed my dog … [it was] not the first dog [that] died by accident”.
“Take the photo down,” Mr Brown said.
“The best thing I can do is adjourn the matter … that will give you some time to think about what you’re going to do.
“I won’t accept the plea. I urge you to consider getting some legal advice.”
Ms Dinh was bailed to reappear on March 9.
A person found guilty of aggravated cruelty in Tasmania faces up to 5 years' jail and could face a fine up to $31,800.
Melissa Mobbs
A journalist with more than a decade of experience, Melissa Mobbs currently works as the Deputy Editor for The Examiner Newspaper in Launceston, and has a strong background in reporting on crime and the justice system. Send tips to Melissa.Mobbs@examiner.com.au or on Twitter via @melissamobbs.
A journalist with more than a decade of experience, Melissa Mobbs currently works as the Deputy Editor for The Examiner Newspaper in Launceston, and has a strong background in reporting on crime and the justice system. Send tips to Melissa.Mobbs@examiner.com.au or on Twitter via @melissamobbs.
