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Man Avoids Jail For Cable Tying German Shepherd's Mouth Shut

Man Avoids Jail For Cable Tying German Shepherd's Mouth Shut

The man has been given a good behaviour bond, banned from owning animals for two years and ordered to pay $1,600.

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie

An Australian man has walked away a free man after being convicted of endangering the life a German Shepherd.

The 48-year-old South Australian was charged under the Animal Welfare Act for cable tying his dog's mouth shut. Understandably, the animal experienced serious distress as a result of the incident.

Neighbours called police when they saw 11-month-old Chloe in the backyard of the Mount Gambian home acting strangely.

RSPCA South Australia

Eventually, the person noticed the dog wasn't breathing properly and jumped into the property to cut the cable tie.

RSPCA South Australia's Chief Veterinarian Dr Brad Ward said if the dog had been left like that, it like could have died from heat exhaustion.

"Panting is the main way in which dogs cool their bodies, because unlike us they do not have an effective system of sweat glands," Ward said.

"If you prevent a dog from cooling its body in this way, you put it at extreme risk of overheating, particularly in warm weather.

RSPCA South Australia

"Dogs must be able to cool themselves through their mouths, not to mention be able to drink and eat with ease."

In court, the 48-year-old's lawyers argued that their client forgot to take it off after he tied it around the dog's muzzle. Channel 7 reports the poor pooch was tied up like that for around four hours before the neighbour came to the rescue.

Incredibly though, the man has walked away with a good behaviour bond and ordered to pay $1,600 in veterinary and legal costs.

The bond will last for 15 months and the man has been banned from owning any animal for the next two years.

Featured Image Credit: RSPCA South Australia

Topics: News, Animals, Australia