Jaye Lee Kneller was handed a suspended sentence on Tuesday. Photo: Albert McKnight.
CONTENT WARNING: This article contains details and an image of animal cruelty that may be distressing to some readers.
A woman has been permanently banned from owning pets after she caused the death of her dog, which died after a long period of pain.
The facts of the case against 39-year-old Jaye Lee Kneller made for extremely difficult reading, Magistrate Amy Begley said on Tuesday (22 July), adding the way her dog spent his last days was “cruel, unnecessary and inhumane”.
The ACT Magistrates Court heard the RSPCA ACT received a report about an emaciated dog in February 2024 so they sent rangers to Kneller’s home.
She told them she got the dog, Chisel, from her father and she loved it more than her children.
She went to look for him at her home, but returned to the rangers and told them he appeared to be dead. Rangers found him with a bloated stomach, protruding ribs and smelling of decomposition but still alive.
Chisel was taken to a vet, who reported the dog was non-responsive and suffered from multiple maggot infestations, including in his eyes and eyelids.
He was assessed and euthanised. The vet said there was no reason for him to be in that condition and it was the result of chronic neglect.
They also said he would have suffered from prolonged serious pain due to his untreated conditions.
Kneller said she knew he had been sick for the last five weeks, but claimed she didn’t know he had maggots in his eyes.
Magistrate Begley said Chisel’s condition was treatable and preventable, and he “suffered extensively”.
She said she found it very difficult to accept Kneller’s claim that the dog had been fine the day before the rangers arrived.
In a letter, Kneller said she had experienced extensive poor health herself over the last couple of years and had been overwhelmed by these conditions at the time.
Her defence lawyer from Legal Aid said she hadn’t intended to cause the dog’s death and Chisel had been “a very beloved family pet”.
Magistrate Begley said it appeared Kneller’s physical and mental health conditions contributed to the offending and she had expressed regret and remorse.
But the magistrate still noted she neglected Chisel for a significant period of time.
Prosecutor Liam Taylor said the death of an animal was always a serious matter and should not be treated lightly by the courts.
“The defendant completely disregarded her duties as an animal owner,” he said.
“It’s important to recognise that caring for a pet is just as important as caring for a child.”
A vet examined Chisel after the rangers found him. Photo: Supplied.
Kneller pleaded guilty to a charge of animal cruelty causing death.
She was convicted and sentenced to five months’ jail, fully suspended, and placed on an 18-month good behaviour order.
She was also permanently banned from keeping an animal as a pet, but her lawyer noted she does have the ability to apply to have this ban lifted in the future.
If you or someone you know needs help, you can contact:
Lifeline’s 24-hour crisis support line – 13 11 14
Suicide Call Back Service – 1300 659 467
Kids Helpline – 1800 551 800 or kidshelpline.com.au
MensLine Australia – 1300 789 978 or mensline.org.au.
Agreed. Have seen how slumgahlin is starting to look? View