A woman who dumped a family of seven defenceless puppies by a river has escaped a criminal conviction, despite admitting ill-treatment of the animals.
Barbara Anderson, 53, from Athol Park, pleaded guilty to one count of ill treatment at Port Adelaide Magistrates Court this week, following an RSPCA-led investigation.
But she walked away from the court without punishment after magistrate Briony Kennewell opted against handing down a conviction.
The court was told the shocking incident happened on March 30, 2024, when a fisherman discovered the seven abandoned red heeler puppies close to the Port River in Port Adelaide.
The fisherman alerted the police and officers had to wade into the water to recover some of the pups, who had wandered in.
CCTV later revealed the puppies had been left by the owner of a Great Wall ute.
More than a month later, on May 7, Ms Anderson attended Port Adelaide police station after a public appeal was made to trace their owner.
Ms Anderson informed officers that the seven puppies belonged to her own dog, Missy.
She said that on the day in question, she had planned to take Missy and her seven puppies out by the river, but realised Missy was not with them after she took the puppies out of the car.
She then said she forgot to put the puppies back in the car when she went to retrace her steps in the hunt for Missy and by the time she returned the puppies were gone.
At no point did she report the puppies as missing to either the police or the RSPCA.
Previously, she had told 7News that Missy and the puppies had escaped from the vehicle before being picked up by somebody else.
Following the case’s conclusion, a 12-month good behaviour bond was imposed on Ms Anderson, with no criminal conviction recorded.
She was also allowed to retain her three dogs on the condition they are desexed and registered, but prohibited from adding any more pets to her family.
The RSCPA was also awarded $3000 in legal costs, with the puppies rehomed.
“Although we are disappointed with the outcome of this case, we are thankful that the puppies were safely rescued and unharmed as they could have easily drowned in the river,” Andrea Lewis, head of animal welfare for the RSCPA in South Australia, said
