An Australian woman has been banned from ever owning an animal ever again after she was convicted of severely neglecting her dog.
Ariel Crowther-Christine was also fined $3,800 during her hearing at the Brisbane Magistrates Court after she was charged with failing to feed and three counts of failing to provide treatment for injury
Authorities were alerted to Ariel and her two-year-old American bulldog late last year after several complaints were lodged to the RSCPA.
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The animal welfare organisation eventually paid a visit to the 25-year-old and told her she needed to take her dog to the vet because of her condition. During a follow-up visit, the vet realised Bella's condition had become worse.
Sadly, Bella was booked in for surgery to help correct an issue with her health but she later died.
Magistrate Linda Bradford-Morgan told the court (Crowther-Christine didn't show up for her hearing): "The photos (of Bella) are extraordinarily distressing."
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Ariel claimed Bella was being fed daily however she was too weak to eat when another animal was present.
Prosecutor Tracey Jackson told 7News.com.au: "This was an appalling case of neglect, and sadly, the dog Bella paid the ultimate price for her owner's failure to provide appropriate care.
"This result sends a strong message to the community that people need to take their responsibilities seriously when it comes to animals in their care.
"If they don't, then they should expect to have the privilege of pet ownership taken away from them."
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Ariel has had a conviction recorded and refused to be allowed to own a pet in the future.
It's similar to a case in Thailand, however this one has a better end.
Fifteen emaciated Great Danes had been living at a house in Pathum Thani, central Thailand when their owner abandoned them several weeks ago.
But with nobody to care for them, they were not properly fed and lost so much weight that their bones could be seen through their fur.
After weeks of struggling to survive, volunteers were alerted to the plight of the dogs and rushed to the farm on Monday (19 August) and saved the animals, giving them some much-needed food and water.
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According to reports, the dogs are now recovering with helpers from Watchdog Thailand and have even been 'adopted' by the country's king, after he heard about their treatment and ordered his household to fund their recovery.
Relatives of the owner living nearby said the site had been used as a breeding farm for many years, until the owner closed it down due to financial problems and cruelly abandoned the animals.
Topics: News, Animals, Australia