A Tasmanian man has been disqualified from having custody of dogs for eight years after failing to comply with an RSPCA direction to care for his underweight dog.
Tyler Hyland was found guilty in the Hobart Magistrates Court last Friday of one count of animal cruelty for failing to provide adequate food.
He was also found guilty of one count of failing to comply with a lawful direction from an authorised RSPCA inspector under the Animal Welfare Act 1993.
He was convicted, fined $3,000 and ordered to pay court costs, as well as $4,185.70 in costs to the RSPCA.
RSPCA Tasmania received a report in July 2024 about an underweight dog.
Inspectors attended the property and issued Hyland with an animal welfare instruction notice.
The notice required him to arrange veterinary examination and treatment for the dog, provide adequate food and ensure it was treated for parasites.
Hyland did not comply and inspectors seized the dog.
The RSPCA said the dog received veterinary treatment, nutrition and ongoing rehabilitation in its care and had since gained weight.
RSPCA Tasmania chief inspector Jayden Stirrup said instruction notices were designed to give owners the opportunity to address welfare concerns before further enforcement action was needed.
“Our priority is always achieving positive welfare outcomes for animals,” he said.
“In many cases, owners are given clear directions about what they need to do to improve an animal’s condition.”
“When those directions are ignored and an animal continues to suffer, we will not hesitate to take further action to protect that animal and hold those responsible accountable.”
Stirrup said the dog had recovered well.
“This dog has made an excellent recovery since coming into RSPCA Tasmania’s care, but it should never have reached such a poor condition in the first place,” he said.
