Woman leaves 28 dogs to die

FACES 35 CHARGES: Dog groomer Vivian Stenner, who had 120 dogs living in her Grevillia home, leaving court in Kyogle.

Ross Irby

A GREVILLEA woman described as 'a highly regarded dog groomer', who had 120 dogs living in her home, has pleaded guilty to a series of animal cruelty offences against 28 dogs in a case brought against her by the RSPCA.

Vivian Stenner, 52, who lived on a rural property, pleaded guilty in Kyogle Local Court to 35 charges under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, including failing to provide veterinary treatment, failing to exercise reasonable care, and failing to provide food to the poodles and cavalier spaniels.

Magistrate Robyn Denes said the 120 dogs had been found in a horrendous condition.

In evidence before Ms Denes, RSPCA and police officers to Stenner's home on January 22 and found more than 100 dogs inside her home that were 'free-running, in dirty condition with visible moulting'.

On another visit five days later, Stenner told the RSPCA officer she had over 120 dogs and her grooming clippers were broken and she was unable to afford to buy a new one to fix their matted coats.

A visit by an RSPCA vet revealed many medical issues and on January 29 Stenner surrendered 98 adult dogs and eight pups to the RSPCA, leaving her with about 30 dogs.

When the RSPCA and police went to her home on January 31 no one was there because she had been evicted, but 28 dogs were found inside the house and seized.

Twenty had ear infections, 18 needed dental work, six had skin and coat problems, two were suffering eye problems, with most requiring antibiotics or surgical/medical treatment.

Defence lawyer John Gibson said his client was unable to look after her dogs after being evicted from her property when the bank foreclosed on her mortgage, and she had since separated from her husband.

He said there was no intent to treat the dogs badly as her life was out of control at the time.

Mr Gibson supplied the court with a reference from Stenner's sister, who described her as a highly-regarded dog groomer who had shown many dogs with many champions and grand champions.

She had been involved in the dog world for 32 years and 'she will always put animals before herself', her sister wrote.

Ms Denes said to leave the dogs was 'akin to leaving your children behind' because they needed to be cared for and given nourishment.

The magistrate placed Stenner on a Section 10 good behaviour bond and ordered her to repay the RSPCA $9294 in costs. Ms Denes also ordered Stenner not to own more than three dogs.