A VET who lives in Jimboomba will not be reunited with his pet dog found living in appalling conditions during a RSPCA raid in October last year.
Dr David Bruce Ziebell, 51, pleaded guilty to breaching his duty of care to a 11-year-old female border terrier named Cullie and a budgerigar which were seized during the raid.
Barrister Nathan Boyd told Southport Magistrates Court that RSPCA inspectors found the two animals living in disgusting conditions surrounded by 14 dead bird carcasses.
"There would be few people better equipped to care appropriately for animals than (Ziebell), and he should have known better and taken action sooner," he said.
An RSPCA spokeswoman said Cullie was found on a veranda littered with faeces, birdcage waste and a dead rat while the budgie was found with no water.
Ziebell's solicitor told the court he was a dedicated veterinary surgeon who did not have his house in order.
A character reference was submitted to the court by an employer in Park Ridge.
Magistrate Kerrie O'Callaghan said it was troubling that a vet would allow Cullie's condition to deteriorate to a point where RSPCA staff had to remove all her teeth.
RSPCA prosecutions officer Tracey Jackson said she welcomed Magistrate O'Callaghan's decision to not allow Zietell to retain ownership of Cullie.
"Cullie can now enjoy the rest of her life. She has done very well in foster care and now gets to go to her forwever home," he said.
Ziebell was fined $2000 and ordered to pay more than $6000 in vet and legal costs.
He has been banned from owning animals for 18 months.