A family which operated a dog breeding business described by the RSPCA as ‘’squalid, rancid and in an absolute state of neglect’’ looks set to avoid gaol despite making a reported $700, 000 from the mistreated animals.
Pyramid Hill puppy farmers Dean Peace, 46, and his parents John and Phyllis Peace, both 75, of Cohuna, faced the second day of sentencing in the Bendigo Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 19 August where they pleaded guilty to over 240 combined charges.
Magistrate David Faram began the hearing by stating he would only consider a “substantial fine” for the family instead of imposing a prison sentence. This despite the defendants own lawyer Jason Gullaci conceding ‘’ It is one of the worst types of cases of animal cruelty.’’
In 2013 RSPCA officers raided the dog breeding business, which operated under the name JB and PW Peace Pty Ltd. They discovered 235 dogs living in filth. Designer breed dogs were found to have their hair matted with faeces with some too terrified to be touched by people. Around ten percent of the dogs had to be put down as a result of their health problems.
Magistrate David Faram said the business had spiralled “completely out of control” and left the animals in “very traumatic circumstances”. “No one assumed any responsibility for the day-to-day care of these animals … It’s horrible,” Mr Faram said.
RSPCA prosecutor Trish Riddell said the Peace family was reluctant to give up their puppy farm because of the profits they were making.
“These offences would indeed rightly outrage and revolt reasonable members of the public,” Ms Riddell said.
“Most right-minded people would be quite disturbed to know that a pet they buy from a pet shop comes from these conditions.”
Further criminal charges are expected to be laid as officers again raided the property in January this year seizing another 100 dogs.
The final sentencing has been adjourned until September 14 after a disagreement over costs pushed the hearing into its third day.