Unamused Cat
May 12th, 2008, 12:56 AM
Elderly couple flees animal abuse trial with dozens of dogs in Australia.
Australians have been told to be on the lookout for a couple who are on the run with dozens of abused and mistreated dogs in a trailer.
Joseph Higham, 66, and his wife, Margarete, 73, fled a court in Adelaide, South Australia, last week, after being found guilty of 11 counts of animal cruelty.
They were convicted in their absence after failing to attend court and are said to be chronic "hoarders" of pets, keeping so many dogs that they cannot possibly care for them all.
They were believed to be driving south into neighbouring Victoria, or possibly New South Wales, with an enclosed metal trailer containing up to 100 dogs. Police have issued a warrant for their arrest.
Among the 170 dogs found in their care during RSPCA raids in 2006 and 2007, many were in an appalling state, suffering from the skin disease mange, fleas and worms. Some had badly infected wounds and 70 had to be destroyed.
One dog was so bald and black from mange that its breed was indiscernible, a vet told the court.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/australiaandthepacific/australia/1938048/Elderly-couple-flee-animal-abuse-trial-with-dozens-of-dogs-in-Australia.html
Australians have been told to be on the lookout for a couple who are on the run with dozens of abused and mistreated dogs in a trailer.
Joseph Higham, 66, and his wife, Margarete, 73, fled a court in Adelaide, South Australia, last week, after being found guilty of 11 counts of animal cruelty.
They were convicted in their absence after failing to attend court and are said to be chronic "hoarders" of pets, keeping so many dogs that they cannot possibly care for them all.
They were believed to be driving south into neighbouring Victoria, or possibly New South Wales, with an enclosed metal trailer containing up to 100 dogs. Police have issued a warrant for their arrest.
Among the 170 dogs found in their care during RSPCA raids in 2006 and 2007, many were in an appalling state, suffering from the skin disease mange, fleas and worms. Some had badly infected wounds and 70 had to be destroyed.
One dog was so bald and black from mange that its breed was indiscernible, a vet told the court.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/australiaandthepacific/australia/1938048/Elderly-couple-flee-animal-abuse-trial-with-dozens-of-dogs-in-Australia.html