A WARRACKNABEAL man who drove drunk into a trailer full of greyhounds, causing one to be euthanised and the trainer to retire, has been fined.
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Bradley Dean, 27, appeared in Horsham Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, where he pleaded guilty to drink-driving, driving without an interlock device and disobeying a stop sign.
Magistrate Clive Alsop cancelled and disqualified his driver’s licence for two years and fined him $900 with conviction.
The court heard that on July 23 at 6.05pm, Rupanyup and Jeparit police attended a two-car crash on the corner of Deveraux and Kelsall streets, Warracknabeal.
Police prosecutor Senior Constable Michelle Wentworth said Dean drove his sedan through a stop sign and hit a van that was pulling a dog trailer.
She said Dean had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.122 and was driving a vehicle that did not have an interlock device, which was a requirement of his licence.
The dog trailer contained four greyhounds.
Senior Constable Wentworth said the incident caused considerable suffering to the animals as Dean struck the trailer with his car.
She said one of the greyhounds had to be euthanised.
In the statement, the victim said the incident left him shaken and devastated.
He was on his way to his son’s birthday party at the time.
“I am a greyhound trainer and I spent many days, weeks and months with these dogs – I consider them like my children,” he said.
“I am now retiring from greyhound training because of this devastating incident.”
Dean’s driver’s licence was suspended immediately following the crash.
Defence lawyer Roxanne McArdle said Dean recognised he had a problem with alcohol and was receiving counselling.
She said on the day of the crash, Dean consumed 10 pre-mixed bourbons before driving his friend’s car, which did not have an interlock device.
“He is now committed to changing his behaviour,” she said.
“He is extremely remorseful and acknowledges he was a risk to other road uses.
“He is loving of animal pets and he is upset about what happened to the dogs.”
Dean was also required to pay compensation for the dog that was euthanised.
Mr Alsop said he took into account Dean’s early plea and the compensation he would have to pay.
