A horrifying case of animal cruelty that left three dogs completely emaciated has finally come to an end, five years on from their neglect first being reported to RSPCA.
Nathan Douglas Houlison, from Gracemere in Queensland, has been banned from owning pets for five years after leaving his dogs in an abandoned home with no food and dirty water.
The 43-year-old pleaded guilty to six breaching duty of care towards animal charges on Tuesday at Rockhampton’s Magistrates Court, The Morning Bulletin reports.
Nathan Houlison has been banned from owning pets after neglecting his three dogs in a home with no food or water. Male adult Doberman, Tyler, pictured
Between October 2012 and August 2015 the RSPCA received 14 complaints against Houlison, the organisation’s lawyer Jordan Ahlstrand told court.
An adult female and male Doberman, Taylor and Tyler, as well as a younger male, were found living in disgusting conditions suffering from several health issues.
RSPCA Inspector Claire Gordon visited the property on four occasions in July 2016, after multiple failed attempts to contact Houlison, before seizing the dogs on July 13.
The dogs were found with dirty green water, no food, and protruding hip and rib bones, with one located in a confined room surrounded by rubbish and faeces.
An adult female and male Doberman, Taylor and Tyler, as well as a younger male (pictured), were found living in disgusting conditions suffering from several health issues
All three were riddled with ticks and flees, the two elder pooches were infested with hookworm and the youngster’s toenails were so long she could barely walk.
The immature Doberman, who later was named Coco, was able to be re-homed, as was one of the elder dogs, but unfortunately the other wasn’t due to behavioural issues.
Ms Gordon was only able to reach Houlison via phone in May this year, 11 months after the seizure of his dogs.
Apparently the man, who has previously been charged for amphetamine possession, abandoned the dogs because he was ‘scared’ to visit the property.
The dogs were found with dirty green water, no food, and protruding hip and rip bones, with one located in a confined room surrounded by rubbish and faeces
The immature Doberman was able to be re-homed, as was one of the elder dogs, but unfortunately the other wasn’t due to behavioural issues. Taylor pictured
‘He admitted not attending to the dogs everyday, stated he was too scared to attend the property as people were “after” him,’ Mr Ahlstrand said.
‘He admitted the inside of the house was disgusting as evident by the photos … but he felt he had no other choice.’
‘He left the dogs at the property to protect them and he knew the dogs were in poor condition and he did admit to not feeding them.’
Houlison was ordered to pay $5000, of which half would go to RSPCA, as well as the vet bill of $3167.96, the summons cost of $92.90 and $1200 for professional costs.
The young red-coloured Doberman (pictured), who was later named Coco, had toenails so long he could barely walk