Canberra couple banned from pet ownership for cruelty

A man and a woman from Canberra have been banned from owning pets for 10 years after their dog was found in very poor health. Jason Bell and Sarah Bolitho pleaded guilty to animal cruelty after their large mixed-breed dog, named Twitch, was discovered emaciated and near death. The case was heard in the ACT Magistrates Court, where Bolitho showed distress during the sentencing, especially when the pet ban was announced. The dog had a very low body condition score of one out of nine, the worst possible score, as determined by the RSPCA. A ranger found Twitch at Bolitho's home. Court evidence included disturbing images of the dog's condition. Twitch was later taken to the RSPCA and examined by a vet, who found he had a urinary tract infection, spinal issues, and possibly cancer. Bolitho initially claimed the dog had been losing weight for three months. She told authorities she had fed him recently, but prosecutors argued that her statements were false. The court heard that she neglected the dog due to her own mental health issues. Sadly, Twitch's condition continued to worsen, and he was euthanized with his owners' consent. Both Bolitho and Bell received good behavior bonds and were sentenced to perform 30 hours of community service. The RSPCA welcomed the ruling and emphasized the importance of responsible pet ownership. Michelle Robertson, the chief executive, stated that pets deserve proper care and urged pet owners to seek help if their animals are unwell.