Queensland couple who fed their puppies a VEGAN diet are banned from owning pets

An unemployed couple who feed their two dogs a vegan diet which lead to one of them being put down have been banned from owning pets for three years.

James McKenzie and Megan Price from Cow Bay, north of Port Douglas were also fined $5,000 on Thursday. 

The RSPCA seized the malnourished five-month-old dogs, Ula and Roo, in June last year following several weeks of investigations.  

When the dogs were taken in to the vet they were so malnourished they were unable to stand up (pictured, Ula, who was saved and adopted by another family who have renamed him Scrappy Doo)

When the Bull Arab pups were seized they were both lame and Roo’s condition was so bad he had to be put down. 

Roo also had a leg injury that the couple had tried to treat with information off the internet and a homemade cast.

Ula was luckily able to be saved but his front paws have been permanently disfigured. 

A video of the dogs by RSPCA Queensland showed they unable to stand up because they had been ‘lying down too long’. 

Roo (pictured) was so severely unwell that he had to be put down by vets after being fed an all-vegan diet with no access to water for puppies

The owners said they were treating a number of the dogs injuries with tea tree oil, oregano oil capsules and a cortisol cream for skin conditions.

When an animal inspector asked the owners what dog food they had Ms Price showed them a pantry which included lentils, rice, pasta, quinoa and grains, a statement of facts by the RSPCA said, the Courier Mail reported.  

‘All food sighted was indicative of a vegan diet,’ the statement said. 

‘There were no dog food or meat products at their property.

‘There were also no water bowls inside or outside of the house for the puppies.’

An RSPCA inspector who asked what they had been feeding the dogs was shown a pantry of lentils, rice, pasta, quinoa and grains (pictured, Roo, left, and Ula, right)

In a video taken from one of the inspections the RSPCA inspector can be heard asking what the dogs had been fed and noting their slim appearance.

‘What are you feeding them?’ the inspector asked.

‘They’re very skinny.’ 

‘I can see a lot of food in your fridge, but I’m still unable to see any dog food.’  

Ms Price also claimed to make her own dog food but despite not sharing what ingredients were used said it ‘met dogs’ nutritional requirements’.

On one occasion when an RSPCA inspector attended the property Mr McKenzie lied to the inspector saying the dogs had been euthanised and had ‘gone to God’, yet the RSPCA later found out that the dogs were still alive. 

Ula was lucky to survive and has since been adopted by a family in Cairns and renamed Scrappy Doo

Ula, who was able to be saved, has been adopted by a family in Cairns and renamed Scrappy Doo. 

Both Mr McKenzie and Ms Price pleaded guilty in the Mossman Magistrates Court to the charges.

Mr McKenzie was fined just over $3,200 while Ms Price’s fine was in excess of $2700 with both expected to pay the $1,365 vet bill.   

50 per cent of their fines will go to the RSPCA.