A WOMAN who stole her neighbour’s dog then re-homed it because it was not being looked after properly has received a good behaviour bond.

Glenda Naomi Ryan appeared at Rockingham Magistrate’s Court on July 21, where she pleaded guilty to a stealing charge.

The prosecutor said Ms Ryan went to her neighbour’s house and discovered the dog had been left without any food or water after going away for two weeks.

She reported it to the rangers but was told there was nothing they could do – so she took matters into her own hands and had the dog homed.

When the owner returned from two weeks away, he reported the dog missing.

But Ms Ryan told police the dog had been neglected and she had had it re-homed.

She said she was not aware that taking a neglected animal and looking after it was classed as theft.

Her lawyer said she accepted she did the wrong thing.

“She became concerned when another neighbour told her the dog had been left for four days with no food or water,” he said.

“She took it upon herself to take the dog and care for it as the neighbour was away for two weeks and no arrangements had been made for the care of the dog during that time.

“She then took steps to have the dog re-homed.”

He said she was adamant that the dog did not go back to the owner.

“She won’t help police locate the dog. She will not have it go back to the owner. She refuses,” he said.

“She is 61 and has absolutely no record previously and I ask for a spent conviction.”

Magistrate Edwards put her on a six month good behaviour bond of $200 and granted her a spent conviction.

She was not required to co-operate with police to have the dog returned to its original owner.