Christine Weisheit: 'Serial animal cruelty offender' has 53 cats removed from Ararat property
A woman banned from owning more than five cats has allegedly been caught housing 53 felines, many of them sick or underweight.
The RSPCA says its inspectors removed the animals, including six kittens, on Thursday from a property in Victoria’s west belonging to serial animal cruelty offender Christine Weisheit.
She was disqualified for life from owning or being in charge of more than five cats in December by the County Court in Ballarat.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.This seizure follows her second alleged breached of a court order regarding the number of cats in her care.
She also has a lifetime ban on possessing more than five horses, after inspectors found dozens starving on her property in 2016.
At least 100 horses were seized at the time and two had to be put down.
The cats, seized from Ararat, have been taken into veterinary care to be treated for flu symptoms, skin problems and malnourishment, the RSPCA says.
Once healthy, vaccinated and microchipped, it is hoped the animals will be put up for adoption.
The cost to the RSPCA of caring for the hundreds of animals seized from Weisheit over the years was staggering, RSPCA Victoria chief inspector Michelle Green said.
“RSPCA Victoria inspectors have removed more than 380 animals from Ms Weisheit across multiple occasions dating as far back as 2014,” she said.
“Every animal deserves to receive the care they need and people must follow any and all court-ordered disqualifications.”
Charges are yet to be laid over Thursday’s matter and Weisheit has until February 20 to comply with a 2024 court-order restricting her horse stewardship.
This financial year it will likely cost RSPCA Victoria more than $10.7 million to run the inspectorate.
