A 22-year-old woman who had four severely flea-infested dogs and another dog that was malnourished seized from her south Canberra home has been banned from owning animals for three years, the RSPCA says.
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RSPCA ACT said the woman was convicted of failing to provide appropriate and adequate food, exercise, water and shelter, as well as failure to take reasonable steps to alleviate pain, for several dogs in her care.
The charges related to two separate animal cruelty incidents.
The RSPCA said the woman bought a pitbull terrier crossbreed dog on classifieds website Gumtree in December 2014 and arranged to give it to a woman advertising a home for unwanted dogs through the same site in January.
When that woman went to collect the dog, she noticed it was skinny, with a swollen eye and had fresh cuts on its face and neck.
The dog was taken to a vet, who found the animal was malnourished, as its coat was dry and its hips, spine and ribs were clearly visible.
Inspectors were sent to investigate after the vet found the wound and cuts on the dog's face and neck were consistent with puncture wounds from another dog or barbed wire fence, the RSPCA said.
That same month, the RSPCA received a complaint about three dogs chained up without water in a south Canberra backyard.
Inspectors found the dogs tethered outside, some without access to proper shelter, as well as a distressed and vomiting puppy chained up inside the house.
They left a note for the owner, but decided to seize the dogs when they returned the next day to discover no one had tended to the animals in 24 hours.
The RSPCA said no food and limited water had been left inside for the puppy and inspectors found faeces throughout the house.
A vet check revealed the four animals were in a poor state and showed signs of flea infestation, as well as numerous other conditions, including itchy skin and conjunctivitis.
The RSPCA said the woman was found guilty of animal cruelty in the ACT Magistrates Court and put on a 12-month good behaviour bond.
She was banned from owning, acquiring, purchasing or possessing any animal for three years and ordered to complete 120 hours of community service.
RSPCA ACT chief executive Tammy Ven Dange said in a statement she wished the woman had been banned from owning animals for a longer period.
"Based on the number of dogs involved in two different cases, it is clear that this person is not and will not be a responsible pet owner any time soon.
"Fortunately, we have been able to give the five dogs a second chance by rehoming them already."
