A South Australian woman who abandoned seven vulnerable puppies by the Port River has avoided a criminal conviction, even after admitting to ill-treating the animals.
Barbara Anderson, 53, from Athol Park, pleaded guilty in the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court to one count of ill treatment following an investigation led by the RSPCA. Magistrate Briony Kennewell chose not to record a conviction, and Ms Anderson left court without further punishment.
The court heard the puppies, a litter of red heelers, were discovered on March 30, 2024, after a fisherman found them near the river at Port Adelaide and called police. Officers had to wade into the water to retrieve some of the pups after they wandered in.
CCTV later showed the puppies had been left by someone driving a Great Wall ute. After a public appeal to locate the owner, Ms Anderson went to the Port Adelaide police station on May 7 and told officers the puppies belonged to her dog, Missy.
Ms Anderson said she had intended to take Missy and the puppies to the river, but realised Missy was not there after she took the puppies out of the car. She told police she then went back to look for Missy and forgot to put the puppies back in the vehicle, and when she returned the puppies were gone.
She did not report the puppies missing to police or the RSPCA at any stage. In an earlier media interview, she had given a different version, saying Missy and the puppies escaped from the vehicle before being picked up by someone else.
Following the finalisation of the case, Ms Anderson was placed on a 12-month good behaviour bond, with no conviction recorded. She was allowed to keep her three dogs on the condition they are desexed and registered, but she is not permitted to take on any additional pets. The RSPCA was awarded $3000 in legal costs, and the puppies have since been 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.
