A Youngtown man's dog required a leg amputation after he decided not to take the advice of a veterinary surgeon, the Launceston Magistrates Court heard.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Nathan Quilliam, 37, pleaded guilty to one count of cruelty to animals between July 9 and August 10, 2018.
He was fined $3500 by Chief Magistrate Cath Geason. The RSPCA did not proceed with several other charges.
Ms Geason said Quilliam had failed to provide veterinary care to his rottweiler Kato after it injured its left hind leg.
He took the dog to the Kings Meadows veterinary clinic and a veterinary surgeon provided pain relief and applied a splint for comfort and stability.
Ms Geason said Quilliam was told that another appointment would be needed because it was a serious fracture.
You did not make that appointment and decided to buy a brace from the internet and save money for the surgery.
- Chief Magistrate Cath Geason
"On the 10th of August Kato went missing when he escaped," she said.
While attempts to find Kato were made via online messages and a doorknocking campaign Kato was not found until 33 weeks later when he was taken to the dogs' home.
A veterinary surgeon found his health had been seriously impacted and continued instability in the leg resulted in the leg being amputated.
Ms Geason said Kato had unreasonable pain for a month before he escaped and then a further 33 weeks with a significant injury and pain.
"You knew the pain relief was only temporary and that he required surgery," she said.
She said Quilliam ran a successful tiling business for which he required a working with vulnerable people card for work in aged care homes.
"Your counsel submitted that the card could be at risk if I was to convict you," she said.
READ MORE: Prisoner smeared own faeces on cell wall
Ms Geason said, however, that Quilliam had a number of prior convictions in the period from 2003 to 2005 that would need to be disclosed when applying to work with vulnerable people.
None of the prior convictions involved animals but had included fail to appear in court, firearms and ammunition charges, two counts of common assault and injure property in 2004 for which he was fined $1250 and driving without a licence in 2005.
She said cruelty to animals could attract a maximum penalty of 12-months' jail or a $16,000 fine.
"I still regard this as a serious matter and I will record a conviction and a fine of $3500," Ms Geason said.
She said it was encouraging that Quilliam had since owned a dog and had experienced no further issues.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark www.examiner.com.au
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter: @examineronline
- Follow us on Instagram: @examineronline
- Follow us on Google News: The Examiner
Nick Clark
I am the Supreme and Magistrates Court reporter for the Examiner for the past 18 months. My journalism career has clicked over 30 years and encompasses four different spells at Tasmanian newspapers.
I am the Supreme and Magistrates Court reporter for the Examiner for the past 18 months. My journalism career has clicked over 30 years and encompasses four different spells at Tasmanian newspapers.
