<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A serial </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/animal-cruelty" rel="" target="" title=" animal cruelty"><span>animal cruelty</span></a><span> offender, who a court found has been abusing animals for at least a decade, has had dozens more cats and horses removed from her care.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>RSPCA </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/victoria" rel="" target="" title="Victoria"><span>Victoria</span></a><span> inspectors seized 13 horses and 24 cats from a property in Ararat, in western Victoria, during a compliance check today after the woman was found guilty of dozens of animal cruelty charges in 2023.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It is the fourth time the woman has allegedly breached the court order preventing her from owning animals, with RSPCA Victoria saying it had taken more than 400 animals from her care over the last 10 years.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/merrylands-stabbing-western-sydney/44aaf498-04eb-4ff3-9fa1-e2f1fef3feed" target="_blank"><strong><span>Murder accused had absconded from mental health facility days before western Sydney stabbing spree</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Some of the horses and cats seized today showed signs of illness and were found in poor living conditions, RSPCA Victoria said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>They were taken to an RSPCA Victoria shelter for assessment and vet care.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>RSPCA Victoria chief inspector Michelle Green called the scale of animal cruelty "astounding".</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/ararat-victoria-serial-animal-cruelty-offender-allegedly-breaches-ban-on-owning-animals/de2fd855-6956-419f-a85b-0b81073ac6f6" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"This person has been banned from owning or being in charge of more than five cats and five horses, and yet they not only continue to keep them and acquire additional animals but also mistreat and neglect them," Green said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/australian-cafes-and-restaurants-hit-crisis-point/4a254438-9ed0-456d-bd6d-add45dc7ff8b" target="_blank"><strong><span>Record number of cafes and restaurants going out of business</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"As an organisation enforcing animal cruelty laws, we have done everything we can stop the offending and animal cruelty by this person, but they ignore expert animal care advice, legislation, and multiple court orders."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The organisation is pleading for stronger penalties for animal cruelty.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"It's simple: animal cruelty is a crime in Victoria, but we need stronger laws and tougher penalties for offenders," RSPCA Victoria chief executive Dr Liz Walker said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Despite being found guilty of animal cruelty offences and repeatedly breaching court orders, this person continues to offend; enough is enough."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/nancy-guthrie-donald-trump-threatens-kidnappers-death-penalty/97a33379-2e1a-4541-bfc3-e452c7bc608d" target="_blank"><strong><span>Trump says he will seek death penalty for Nancy Guthrie's kidnappers if they don't release her alive</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The RSPCA said that in July 2023, the then-66-year-old woman was found guilty of 54 charges of animal cruelty, including failure to provide the animals with proper and sufficient food and drink, confining them in a way that would likely cause pain and suffering and failing to provide veterinary care.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>She was permanently banned from owning or being in charge of horses and ponies.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>That term was reduced to a five-year ban on owning or being in charge of more than five horses after she appealed the decision.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The woman has also been disqualified for life from owning or being in charge of more than five cats.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>She has previously been found guilty of similar charges in both Victoria and NSW, RSPCA Victoria said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Anyone with concerns about the welfare of animals is urged to make a report to RSPCA Victoria at </span><a href="http://rspcavic.org/cruelty-report/" target="_blank"><span>rspcavic.org/cruelty-report/</span></a><span> or by calling 03 9224 2222.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><strong><span>NEVER MISS A STORY: Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></strong></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><p><em><strong><span>Download the 9NEWS App here via</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727"><em><strong><span>Apple</span></strong></em></a><span> </span><em><strong><span>and</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU&amp;pli=1"><em><strong><span>Google Play</span></strong></em></a></p></li><li><p><em><strong><span>Make 9News your preferred source on Google by</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://9.nine.com.au/8x987w"><em><strong><span>ticking this box here</span></strong></em></a></p></li><li><p><em><strong><span>Sign up to</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://login.nine.com.au/edm?client_id=nineatnine"><em><strong><span>our breaking newsletter here</span></strong></em></a></p></li></ul></div></div>