A man has pleaded guilty to four animal cruelty charges relating to neglect of animals on a property that ultimately led to the death of a male Maremma.

According to an article in the Northern Daily Leader, Bernard Joseph Kennedy, 63, appeared in Armidale Local Court yesterday, where he pleaded guilty to committing an act of aggravated cruelty, failing to comply with notice, failing to provide veterinary treatment and committing an act of cruelty.

RSPCA prosecutor Kate Hewson tendered a brief of evidence to Magistrate Malcolm Macpherson, which she said included “12 photographs which are particularly sensitive in nature” about animals kept on Kennedy’s property.

The RSPCA also issued orders for three horses, a mini-horse and a donkey which had various ailments.

As part of their brief, the RSPCA sought to ban Kennedy from owning animals for 10 years, and is due to be sentenced on January 17, 2025.