URGENT UPDATE: A woman has been sentenced after police discovered her emaciated dog, Betty, chained to a pole in her backyard, highlighting a shocking case of animal neglect. Louise Kirkman, 33, from Glenroi, was found guilty of failing to provide sufficient food and shelter to the dog, with authorities revealing disturbing details of the animal’s plight.
During a court hearing on July 17, 2025, Magistrate Gary Wilson banned Kirkman from owning or caring for animals for a decade. “The photos of the poor dog tell the whole story,” Wilson stated, condemning Kirkman’s prioritization of her drug habit over the welfare of her pet. Kirkman was only feeding Betty once a week, leaving the dog in critical condition.
The case emerged when police, conducting a welfare check on June 10, 2024, found Betty tied in a carport, trembling and curled up on a damaged couch, with nighttime temperatures dropping to a chilling 1 degree Celsius. Despite returning five days later and finding no improvement, police were compelled to act due to Betty’s severe malnourishment and distress.
The authorities, accompanied by an Orange City Council ranger, seized Betty and secured a surrender form from Kirkman, who admitted that the dog had been living in her care for five to eight years. A veterinary report indicated that Betty’s body condition score was a mere 3/9 and highlighted multiple health issues, including dental disease and hip dysplasia.
Kirkman’s attorney, Paul Johnson, described her challenging upbringing and acknowledged her drug dependency, emphasizing that this was her first animal cruelty charge. However, he claimed she was committed to seeking help and entering detox by the end of the month. “The community at large would be horrified by her offending involving animal cruelty and rightly so,” he stated.
Magistrate Wilson expressed difficulty in understanding such cruelty, warning Kirkman that she was fortunate not to receive a custodial sentence despite the maximum penalty for her offenses being six months in prison. In addition to her 10-year ban, she was fined $1,000 for each of the two charges related to animal abuse.
This heart-wrenching case of neglect has shocked the local community, emphasizing the urgent need for greater awareness and action regarding animal welfare. As the story unfolds, it raises critical questions about compassion and responsibility towards vulnerable beings.
Stay tuned for updates as this developing story continues to resonate within the community and beyond.
