When RSPCA inspectors entered Lachlan John Player's Bulli home last October, they found numerous animals - including dogs, cats, reptiles and mice - living in squalor, without access to food or water.
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An inspector had attended the previous day, on Thursday, October 15, after receiving a tip-off and saw a bulldog in "light body condition" wandering the backyard, and a terrier peering from a window.
They left notice stickers over the front door seal and at the side gate, but discovered the following day these were undisturbed, so acquired a search warrant.
In the lounge room, they discovered plastic containers and drawers housing lizards and snakes, which had no access to food and water; one of the lizards, a bluetongue, was dead.
Three adult turtles, again with no food or water, were in a container in the hallway.
Upon opening the kitchen door they found a small terrier with a large amount of fur missing from its back, living amongst dirty dishes, and household items and blankets that were soiled with faeces and urine.
There was no food or water for the dog, and no fresh air.
In this area the inspectors found more reptiles, with no heating equipment, food or water, and dead juvenile turtles.
In a dark bedroom, two cats were trapped in a crate that was thick with faeces, with no food, water, litter tray or clean bedding.
The cats responded by sticking their front paws through the bars and meowing.
In another bedroom there were an estimated 30 to 40 mice in four enclosures, only one of which had any water although none had food.
The enclosures contained a number of dead mice.
Two Staffordshire-cross dogs were confined to a bathroom soiled with faeces and urine, with no food, water or fresh air.
Vet examination of the animals revealed most of them were suffering from health conditions, including dehydration and emaciation.
Two snakes died and one had to be euthanased.
Player's partner held a licence that allowed her to keep reptiles.
When Player was interviewed, he stated he was the owner of the bulldog and a cat, and he shared responsibilities with his partner.
He said he had sprayed for mites days before his home was raided, which prevented the reptiles from having access to water, and he had not returned to the home on the Friday because he was at hospital with his partner.
Player subsequently pleaded guilty in the Wollongong Local Court to failing to provide proper and sufficient drink, failing to provide proper and sufficient food, two charges of committing an act of cruelty, two charges of failing to provide adequate exercise, and two charges of failing to provide veterinary care.
Magistrate Claire Girotto adjourned sentencing in order to obtain a sentencing assessment report, saying she wanted more information on Player.
She said the offending was "not insignificant".
Player will return to court next month.
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Natalie Croxon
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
