Police sniff out more crimes during mission to rescue dog

POLICE went to a Helensvale shopping centre to free a dog left in a car in the hot sun.

While there, they slugged the pooch’s owner for a slew of charges including possessing steroids and having an unregistered vehicle.

Richard John Craig Finch pleaded guilty in Southport Magistrates Court yesterday to 13 charges including animal cruelty, possessing dangerous drugs, driving an unregistered vehicle and using false plates.

Defence lawyer Jason Grant, of Grant Lawyers, said Finch, a concreter, loved his dog and leaving him in the car had been an oversight.

Magistrate Dermot Kehoe ordered Finch complete 120 hours service in 12 months and fined him a total of $1600.

The court heard police were called to a Helensvale shopping centre on December 30 last year after a member of the public saw a dog locked in a Holden Commodore.

The car was in the full sun and the windows were up.

The dog was panting and police were told it looked distressed.

Checks on the car revealed Finch was the owner but the car was not registered or insured, had incorrect plates which were not affixed correctly.

A search of Finch’s home two days later by police found a vial of steroids, some GBH and some steroids in his bedroom.

Mr Grant handed up photos to the court of Finch and his dog to prove the mixed breed pup was in good health.

“The dog was in good health otherwise,” Mr Grant said.

“He cares for the dog significantly and he is remorseful for the actions that day.”

Mr Grant said in relation to the car, Finch had recently purchased the vehicle second hand and had not transferred the registration over.

Convictions were recorded on all matters.