Animals suffered and died and those that had the power to end the suffering, stood by and did nothing.
Today Ann Giles was given a Community Based Order for operating an illegal ‘breeding establishment’. She has to perform 50 hours of unpaid community work.
Prior to today’s court case however, Council could of stopped the suffering and the death of a large number of animals.
In 2010 Council took Ann Giles and her husband Peter to VCAT because Council inspected the property and found “Animal keeping of more than 2 animals without a planning permit contrary to clause 35.03-1 of the Campaspe Planning Scheme. VCAT issued an enforcement order which stated
1.Between the date of this order and 21 May 2010, Peter Giles & Ann Giles must not bring or allow to be brought any additional dogs or puppies onto the land in connection with a dog rehoming or breeding business.
2.By no later than 21 May 2010 Peter and Ann Giles must a) remove all dogs and puppies from the land except for 5 dogs kept as domestic pets: and b) Dismantle all cages and associated structures used to house the dogs and puppies removed from the land. The materials retrieved from these structures may be reused in connection with a lawful use of the land or they must be stored in an orderly way.
3. From 21 May 2010 Peter and Ann Giles must not use the subject land for animal keeping of more than 2 animals (excluding domestic pets) unless a planning permit is obtained.
It was noted in court today that both Ann and Peter suffer from mental illness. It was also acknowledged that they are receiving the help they need from social welfare services. That’s great, I am very happy that someone is looking after them and they are getting the help they need, for the sake of their children, this is a good thing.
However the Magistrate also noted that Ann had a history of “hiding the truth” and of “blaming others”, it was noted that animals were hidden from authorities by placing “a bunch of animals” in a horse trailer and driving them off the property temporarily, or hiding them on another puppy factory, That takes some mental capacity to plan and act out. Certainly during our first visit to the property Ann admitted to Trish and I that if she was forced to get rid of the dogs she would “Just tell my social worker that I will kill myself and then they will let me have them”.
These people were already ‘in the system’ in 2007 Ann was banned from owning any “grazing animal” due to the DPI seizing starving horses from the property. Nobody in authority seems to mind though that there are horses back on the property right now. After the banning order, Ann and Peter simply turned to other animals to make money and the horrendous abuse and cruelty continued. It should of stopped then, but the DPI or anyone else didn’t bother to further investigate the property.
It all should of ended on 21 May 2010. However no one bothered to enforce the enforcement order and because of this more animals suffered and died. Council admitted that “We found out later that the majority of the dogs on the property had been removed and hidden”.
Council knew that Ann was hiding animals, and that she had breached the enforcement order, so why didnt they charge her with breaching that order, why didnt they do everything they could for these animals? Ann and Peter are getting the help they need, who is helping the animals ?
Why did Council waste ratepayers money by taking this case to VCAT and then failed miserably in their duty of care towards these animals?
These animals have been betrayed by the system, that we are all told is there to protect animals. From what I have seen, there is no system. Animals can be used and abused over and over again. There abusers can be known to authorities, can be in the system for years, but no one bothers them. The abusers know this and continue without any fear.
Council need to enforce the law and charge Ann with breaching VCAT’s enforcement order and seize every animal from this property now or more will die a slow, painful death. History has shown that these people have starved animals in the past and have lied and hidden animals from authorities.
History has also shown that authorities will turn a blind eye unless we continue to demand justice.
Which one of the nine Campaspe Councillors will have the courage to demand the law be enforced and finally end the suffering of the Giles animals?
Please email and politely ask them.
f.oliver@campaspe.vic.gov.au, p.williams@campaspe.vic.gov.au, n.repacholi@campaspe.vic.gov.au
m.riley@campaspe.vic.gov.au, g.toll@campaspe.vic.gov.au, j.ofarrell@campaspe.vic.gov.au
k.simpson@campaspe.vic.gov.au, n.pankhurst@campaspe.vic.gov.au, c.howell@campaspe.vic.gov.au
Never turn your back on an evil you have the power to change
My goodness. I am at a loss for words. I will email now.
Devastated and bewildered. So wrong. These animals suffered. Animals before them suffered. These people escaped being punished for the horses and cattle that they allowed to starve and once again a slap on the wrist for the horrific conditions taht they kept these dogs in.
If they are that mentally ill, that it gives them a defense, please explain how they could scour free to good home ads and make up lies to the people that they obtained the dogs from? Surely the people that gave them dogs thought they were giving them to right minded people. The I’ say I want them back or I will kill myself, seems to be a pitiful excuse that was used by another person who had a number of dogs taken from their property earlier this year. If they are using emotional blackmail, then the environment is not healthy for any animal or child.
All we can do is keep going, keep strong, and keep united until we we make people in positions of power understand that this is not the ideal or the way to go moving forward. Society lacks so much nowadays – basic manners, caring for others, respecting other people belongings – correct and proper animal care goes a long way to help people understand that you need to care for others and not just themselves
Sending emails right now!
Different council, same betrayel, neglect & lack of care.
Are the photos from this horrendous place?
Emailing now.
I have just emailed all councillors politely
Mia, Deb has a video of this horrible place in this blog. Devastating to watch but shows what these people are capable of. This will continue for as long as they are not really punished
mental illness is an excuse for everything and here masterfully manipulated by people who know how to play the system. i bet their still receiving gov’t support all the while- had centrelink checked their records? disgusting bottom feeders!
deep breath, deep breath…another deep breath…
its not enough…. there isn’t enough words to describe the uttter disgust and horror i feel at this moment…
SO….. STUART…( im yelling to get your attention) i’m sure you will be reading this site, what now can the council and you as one of its employees do???
Does VCAT’s decision, prohibit further prosection by your council, or the removal of animals which are blatently in breech of a previous decision…
if this vcat decision doesn’t cancel out all other previous decisions,.. then for gods sake, get that council off its rear end and do it, confiscate the remaining animals as should have been done back in may 2010…
You are there stuart, you made yourself known on this website… you make the action happen…
these are angry words… these are words from someone whose trust/hope in the system has been betrayed…i feel like using a lot stronger words, but those wont help these animals… STUART and CAMPASPE SHIRE get all those animals out of that property… even dead would be better then that hell hole….enforce the decision….
alison
gobsmacked!! What the hell is going on in this world…really! emails sent fury still burning! When will these people learn
There are something’s I will never ever forget, the Blood curdling scream from Deb when she found those dying puppies; the screams of the puppies – listening to them whilst in immense pain and the screams when they were humanely euthanized. I am in total shock, yet again an animal abuser walks free. I want Oscars Law.
That video was heartbreaking, I am sobbing, and don’t know how you can do what you do documenting these things, even though I know that brave action is the only way to raise awareness and hopefully fight for change. I have emailed each of those Councillors tonight, and hope that they are swamped with others. Has someone sent this footage and photos to the local newspaper in that area – this is news that should be out there?
disgusting, absolutely disgusting!
The trauma these dogs went through. The trauma deb and trish went through. What trauma did the ‘Giles’ go through …
The good ol’ line of mental illness … We may all have a bit of that … Anne Giles u need to take some responsability in your life; Mental illness or not. What a pathetic excuse.
What did a dog, a cat or a horse ever do too you ??? …
Certainly livened the councillors up – got a reply yesterday from 1 saying he had no knowledge of the situation. got another today saying you all irresponsible ratbags (inference not quote) and that he and the rest were being unfairly targeted by emails, suddenly he knows all about it and is an expert!!! They.ve been swamped alright – well done
@Sue – the councillor said WE are irresponible ratbags?? LOL. They are for not enforcing the laws that are put into place to protect and which they have a duty to fulfil and uphold- why are they working in local government if they are not even doing their jobs?!? They are the irresponsible ones! Why does it have to come down to us, members of the public to remind someone from council to do their job?! Makes me mad..
So now the Councilors are running for cover screaming that they are the victims. The simple fact is that this case has made a mockery of our “system”. If this is what she does with animals what does she do with her children??????????????????
I hope that the up-coming rally puts the spot light on the weak Judges, Councilors, RSPCA etc. and makes the Politicians realise that the Laws are not working. As for Mental Illness, it is disgusting how such a serious illness has become a convenient excuse for this pathetic individual
I wrote to all the Councillors, and got a more positive response than others it seems:
Dear Jen,
Thank you for your email about the Giles activities on their property in our Shire. It is indeed most unfortunate that behaviours towards defenceless animals such as these occur.
I am aware that another of our Councillor’s has already replied to you about this situation outlining everything that the Shire of Campaspe has done in relation to this matter and so I will not repeat any of that.
I am also sure that you realize that the Shire is highly restrained
legally in what it can do and as much as it might be very attractive to be able to swoop in do a “Lone Ranger or Robin Hood” that is not an option that we have available to us.
However I can reassure you that the Campaspe Shire is doing everything it can and that it will pursue this matter to the end. I am also able to advise you that the Shire takes its enforcement and compliance responsibilities very seriously and that we have committed significantly more resources to this area in the last 2 years to ensure that our staff are able to meet those obligations.
I hear you concerns and greatly appreciate you sharing those with me.
Kind regards
Peter Williams
Councillor
Campaspe Shire
Perhaps others emailing this particular Councillor in a supportive and respectful way will keep the heat on to take action?
Sorry for being so cynical but….!!!! Isn’t it about time the Councillors stepped up and took responsibility. It seems that it is way too easy to HIDE behind pathetic excuses. This whole episode is a total disgrace. I dare the Councillors to disclose how much money was spent on this case alone and how hard they really tried to get a proper conviction. dare we challenge the ” Magistrate” who is probably teflon coated. Nothing will bring back the poor deceased puppies but until someone shows the guts to follow through and settle for conviction with more than community service, which mind you will be lucky to be carried out I would suggest, this piece of trash will continue. She knows how to manipulate the current system and play the emotional cards when required. So she is suicidal, put her in care. Take away the kids and see how quickly she and pathetic husband become sane. Bring in Social Security. Bring in the Taxation Department. Combined these two departments should hurt this horrible evil couple. They dont deserve children. They demonstrate their lack of humanity through the pictures displayed on this site. Without children and money how can they afford to go out and hurt more animals.
Just like the Geelong City Council these guys at Campaspe too are asleep at the wheel. They are doing absolutely nothing to stop thistrash getting away with cruelty towards animals. Thye are more concerned about their own image instead of justice and what is right. Again they are deriving income without doing what they are paid for. How can they live with themselves knowing that they are letting down the community that pays their wages. In Ann Giles case they let her go. Shame shame shame. She doesnt have a mental illness. She is not suicidal. She called your bluff. You let down every Oscars Law supporter as well as everyone in the community. She will get out of the community service through lies, I will stake my name on this one
After watching that video Deb posted on FB yesterday, i cant seem to get it out of my mind. Something needs to be done – What are councilor’s scarred of? They say their hands are legally tied to do anything but yet their enforcement responsibilities are taken seriously? What a joke!
I wish i could take them all myself…. I want to go there n save those dogs… Authorities dont. What happens to me is certainly a sacrifice to make compared to how the puppies are living right now. If i had a way to remove them, i would do it myself.
After watching that video – these councilors should feel the same way!!!!
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsDeMCGZ8Lc&h=pAQGDSH_5
Mental illness? oh for god sake. That is no excuse. I have a mental illness and my dogs are treated with love, respect, care and appropriate discipline. What a minipulative woman! “telling her social worker that she will kill herself so she can keep her dogs”. That is manipulation in its finest form! Shame on you, Peter and Ann Giles! I hope ALL pet shops that sell puppies look at this video!.
Sharmi you are one of the genuine people in this world. This trash are the most manipulative couple. They claim they are being persecuted and that Debra and others are fabricating all of this. Unfortunately no one magistrate has the guts to see through the BS and punish appropriately as we all would be. It is a low act to use Mental Illness like this. She will never kill herself. It is an act. So too is the remorsefullness. She is waiting to do this again, or something just as sinister. Again the Councillors are spineless just like the judges. Why have laws when they wont enforce them
Shire of campaspe also has Facebook lets try from every angle to get everyone aware of her and her horrible ways