A woman from NSW's far south coast will spend at least six months behind bars after being convicted of animal cruelty offences and failing to comply with a court order restricting her ownership of horses.
Janice Louise Denny, 61, also known as Janice Northey, was today sentenced by Magistrate Doug Dick in the Bega Local Court to a total of 15 months in prison, with a non-parole period of six months.
He also ordered the Tantawangalo resident to pay nearly $500,000 in animal care costs to the RSPCA.
Magistrate Dick told the court Denny, who represented herself, had a long history of animal cruelty and had caused a grey pony mare "unpardonable suffering".
He told the court that Denny's attempt to transfer ownership to a friend currently incarcerated was a "sham", and it was "obvious she maintained a position of caring for horses and ponies" despite being banned from doing so.
RSPCA lawyer Kathryn Jurd told the court it was impossible for an incarcerated person to be capable of caring for the animals.
"I do not know what to say," Denny told the court.
Magistrate Dick told the court Denny had shown a lack of remorse and described her behaviour as "unjustifiable".
Previous charges
Denny last year pleaded not guilty to seven charges, including failing to comply with a court order restricting her ownership of horses for five years, aggravated cruelty upon an animal and three counts of failing to provide vet treatment.
The court heard one of the animals involved had "struggled to survive" while suffering from intestinal parasites to the point it had to be euthanised.
Denny was found guilty after a hearing in Bega Local Court earlier this year, and was ordered to forfeit 45 mixed horses and ponies for sale or disposal.
Magistrate Dick today disqualified her from owning a horse or pony for ten years, and ordered her to pay $452,623 in animal care costs as well as $23,288 in court costs.
He also ordered Denny to dispose of any horses or ponies in her care within 28 days from her release from prison.
While Denny appeared visibly agitated and upset during sentencing, she laughed and smiled with Corrective Services officers as she was placed in handcuffs.
"I can't be remorseful for something I haven't done," she yelled as she was led from the court and taken into custody.
