MOOROOK ANIMAL SHELTER

The Hon. A. BRESSINGTON (15:02): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking a question of the Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation about the Moorook Animal Shelter.

Leave granted.

The Hon. A. BRESSINGTON: Last sitting week in this place the Hon. Michelle Lensink asked the minister a question in relation to the Moorook Animal Shelter. The minister's answer was that he was of the understanding that complaints had been made about Moorook, and that the RSPCA had acquired a warrant to go on to the property. My information has been that no warrant has been sighted or presented to the owner of Moorook at any time. Will the minister provide the house with information on the date the warrant was issued, and when was the first visit that the RSPCA made to Moorook Animal Shelter?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation) (15:02): I thank the honourable member for her most important question. I said recently, as she noted, that inspectors employed by the RSPCA executed the primary enforcement functions prescribed under the Animal Welfare Act 1985 and its subordinate legislation in relation to an animal shelter at Moorook. I have been advised that since 2009 the RSPCA has received a number of complaints regarding the welfare of animals at that shelter. I refer to my comments made in this place on 30 April that RSPCA inspectors have attended the Moorook Animal Shelter on several occasions in the past and given directions in accordance with powers under the act.

I understand that after receiving a recent complaint, the RSPCA inspectors sought and obtained an unrestricted warrant to access the Moorook premises. As a result of the inspection conducted by the RSPCA inspectors under warrant, I am advised that a number of animals were surrendered and the owner of the Moorook premises was provided with five animal welfare directions in relation to all the animals on the property, which had to be complied with by 24 April this year.

As I also said in this place, I have been advised by my department that follow-up inspections were carried out by the RSPCA inspectors to ensure that the directions they issued were being met. No animals were removed on these subsequent occasions, and further directions were issued, which must be complied with by 25 April. On Thursday 2 May, I am advised, three RSPCA inspectors attended the Moorook Animal Shelter, including one who is an animal behaviourist, along with an independent veterinarian. The inspectors had a warrant and were accompanied by two police officers.

It was confirmed that the conditions of the animal welfare notices issued the previous month had not been fully met. On 8 May I am advised the RSPCA laid seven charges of ill treatment against the proprietor of the shelter. Both the charges and the particulars may be varied or added to over time as the case progresses, I understand. The matter will be heard for the first time, is my advice, in the Berri Magistrates Court on 24 June 2013. I am also advised that the RSPCA has properly recommended to the defendant, apparently in writing but also orally to the defendant's daughter, that she seeks the assistance of the Legal Services Commission, and it has provided her with the relevant contact details.