A JIMBOOMBA man has been hit with a lifetime animal ban after pleading guilty to organised dog fighting charges.
Some of his fighting dogs were so vicious they could not be rehabilitated and had to be put down by the RSPCA.
Joshua Baskerville, 38, was targeted by an RSPCA taskforce investigating illegal dog fighting in April last year.
RSPCA inspectors and police conducted a search of Baskerville's property on April 19 last year and found a large number of dogs, some tethered on chains and living in poor conditions.
Dog fighting paraphernalia and training devices were also discovered.
These included first aid supplies, treadmills, collars, working harnesses and a dog fighting trophy.
Computers, phones, SD cards and USBs with photos and video depicting dog fighting were also seized.
The Beenleigh Magistrates Court was told that all animals were transported to the RSPCA Wacol shelter where some of the dogs were found with fighting injuries.
All dogs were treated for skin conditions, ear infections, hookworm infestation and parasitic disease coccidiosis.
The RSPCA rehabilitated and re-homed the remaining dogs.
Baskerville pleaded guilty to 16 charges, including failing to treat for disease or injury, inappropriate handling, possession of prohibited cockfighting spurs and supply of an animal for use in a prohibited event.
The RSPCA said that magistrate Brian Kilmartin described the nature of the offences as among the worst kind of animal cruelty which would normally warrant time served in prison.
Baskerville was ordered to pay almost $3500 and was sentenced to three years' probation.
His sentence was reduced due to personal circumstances.
RSPCA Queensland chief inspector Daniel Young said the organisation was pleased Baskerville was banned from having animals in his possession.
"Dog fighting is an abhorrent act where dogs are pitted against each other resulting in serious injury, even death, so so to be in a position where we can remove animals which are destined to become fighting dogs is a major result," Mr Young said.
"The manner in which these dogs are raised from such a young age is appalling.
"It introduces them to a life void of the normal comforts that the community has come to expect a dog should receive."
