Latest news with #CooperAnthonyOwen
Daily Mail
01-08-2025
- Daily Mail
Man, 21, accused of attacking and dumping nine-week-old puppy is unmasked - as grim details emerge
A shocking case of alleged animal cruelty has reignited calls for urgent reform to Australia's pet ownership laws. NSW Animal Justice Party MLC Emma Hurst is demanding tighter regulations to stop companion animals from ending up in the wrong hands. The push comes after Cooper Anthony Owen was charged with violently attacking a nine-week-old Staffy cross Bull Arab puppy and dumping its body in bushland. Police allege the 21-year-old removed the puppy from a vehicle in a car park on Maitland Road, in Sandgate in Newcastle, on the afternoon of July 20. Witnesses told police he slammed the puppy against the car multiple times before throwing it to the ground and continuing the assault. He reportedly then returned the injured animal to the car and drove away. The puppy's body was later discovered on Porowei Way at Kooragang. Owen was arrested at his home later that night where police seized several items including a car seat cover, clothing, and a mobile phone. A veterinary examination is underway to determine the puppy's exact cause of death. The allegations have sparked public outrage and led to renewed scrutiny of how easily animals can be obtained from breeders, pet shops and online platforms. 'This is a deeply heartbreaking case of animal cruelty,' Ms Hurst told Daily Mail. 'There is an ongoing issue that it is far too easy to obtain animals, whether through breeders, pet shops or even 'free to good home' ads online. We've heard too many horrific stories of what has happened to animals in these situations.' Hurst has called for a licensing system to ensure only responsible individuals are allowed to own companion animals. She argues this will prevent animals from being placed in environments where they are neglected, mistreated or abused. 'We absolutely want families to be able to experience the joy and companionship that comes with having an animal. But the sad truth is not all animals are ending up in safe and loving homes,' Hurst said. 'Most rescue organisations assess people and their homes before adopting out an animal. And that's for good reason. 'It ensures the animal is suited to the person and that the person is capable of providing the right care. Platforms that allow animals to be sold with no checks or due diligence must be addressed.' In NSW parliamentary inquiries, animal welfare groups have previously proposed a licensing system for companion animals. Hurst argues that such a system could flag individuals with a history of harming animals or those deemed incapable of providing adequate care. Owen, is yet to enter a plea with his lawyer requesting an adjournment to prepare an application under the Mental Health (Forensic Provisions) Act. If successful, the 21-year-old could avoid traditional criminal prosecution and instead enter a treatment or support plan. Magistrate Ronald Maiden has made an interim order disqualifying Owen from owning or possessing any animals while the matter remains before the court. He is on bail and will reappear in Raymond Terrace Local Court in September.
The Advertiser
28-07-2025
- The Advertiser
Man accused of attacking puppy, dumping body to make mental health application
A MAN accused of violently attacking a nine-week-old puppy then dumping its body in Newcastle bushland will apply to have his charges dealt with under mental health legislation. Cooper Anthony Owen, 21, has been on strict bail and did not have to attend Raymond Terrace Local Court on Monday when his animal cruelty case was mentioned. He was not required to enter pleas. His defence lawyer asked for an adjournment to prepare for an application to have the matter dealt with under mental health legislation. Magistrate Ronald Maiden made an interim order disqualifying Owen from owning or possessing an animal while the case was going through the court. Owen will next face Raymond Terrace Local Court in September. The mental health application, if successful, would allow Owen to enter into a treatment or support plan rather than face punishment in the criminal justice system. Owen faces charges of committing an act of aggravated cruelty upon a nine-week-old Staffy cross Bull Arab puppy; and torture, beat etc. and seriously injure the animal. The Lemon Tree Passage man allegedly stopped his vehicle in a carpark on Maitland Road at Sandgate sometime between 4pm and 4.20pm on Sunday, July 20, and removed a puppy. Police were told he slammed the dog against the side of the vehicle several times before throwing it on the ground and continuing the assault. He then allegedly put the puppy back into the vehicle. Newcastle police were alerted and just after 9pm that night, officers went to a home in Lemon Tree Passage and arrested Owen. They also seized clothing, a car seat cover and a mobile phone for further examination. Police inquiries led officers to find the dead puppy on Porowei Way at Kooragang. Police said advice would be sought from a veterinarian after the body was examined. Owen was taken to Nelson Bay Police Station and charged. He spent the night in custody before he was released on bail on Monday, July 21. The court heard at that time that the allegations against Owen were "disturbing", that he had only had the puppy for a short time, and that CCTV and a witness account would be part of the prosecution case. A MAN accused of violently attacking a nine-week-old puppy then dumping its body in Newcastle bushland will apply to have his charges dealt with under mental health legislation. Cooper Anthony Owen, 21, has been on strict bail and did not have to attend Raymond Terrace Local Court on Monday when his animal cruelty case was mentioned. He was not required to enter pleas. His defence lawyer asked for an adjournment to prepare for an application to have the matter dealt with under mental health legislation. Magistrate Ronald Maiden made an interim order disqualifying Owen from owning or possessing an animal while the case was going through the court. Owen will next face Raymond Terrace Local Court in September. The mental health application, if successful, would allow Owen to enter into a treatment or support plan rather than face punishment in the criminal justice system. Owen faces charges of committing an act of aggravated cruelty upon a nine-week-old Staffy cross Bull Arab puppy; and torture, beat etc. and seriously injure the animal. The Lemon Tree Passage man allegedly stopped his vehicle in a carpark on Maitland Road at Sandgate sometime between 4pm and 4.20pm on Sunday, July 20, and removed a puppy. Police were told he slammed the dog against the side of the vehicle several times before throwing it on the ground and continuing the assault. He then allegedly put the puppy back into the vehicle. Newcastle police were alerted and just after 9pm that night, officers went to a home in Lemon Tree Passage and arrested Owen. They also seized clothing, a car seat cover and a mobile phone for further examination. Police inquiries led officers to find the dead puppy on Porowei Way at Kooragang. Police said advice would be sought from a veterinarian after the body was examined. Owen was taken to Nelson Bay Police Station and charged. He spent the night in custody before he was released on bail on Monday, July 21. The court heard at that time that the allegations against Owen were "disturbing", that he had only had the puppy for a short time, and that CCTV and a witness account would be part of the prosecution case. A MAN accused of violently attacking a nine-week-old puppy then dumping its body in Newcastle bushland will apply to have his charges dealt with under mental health legislation. Cooper Anthony Owen, 21, has been on strict bail and did not have to attend Raymond Terrace Local Court on Monday when his animal cruelty case was mentioned. He was not required to enter pleas. His defence lawyer asked for an adjournment to prepare for an application to have the matter dealt with under mental health legislation. Magistrate Ronald Maiden made an interim order disqualifying Owen from owning or possessing an animal while the case was going through the court. Owen will next face Raymond Terrace Local Court in September. The mental health application, if successful, would allow Owen to enter into a treatment or support plan rather than face punishment in the criminal justice system. Owen faces charges of committing an act of aggravated cruelty upon a nine-week-old Staffy cross Bull Arab puppy; and torture, beat etc. and seriously injure the animal. The Lemon Tree Passage man allegedly stopped his vehicle in a carpark on Maitland Road at Sandgate sometime between 4pm and 4.20pm on Sunday, July 20, and removed a puppy. Police were told he slammed the dog against the side of the vehicle several times before throwing it on the ground and continuing the assault. He then allegedly put the puppy back into the vehicle. Newcastle police were alerted and just after 9pm that night, officers went to a home in Lemon Tree Passage and arrested Owen. They also seized clothing, a car seat cover and a mobile phone for further examination. Police inquiries led officers to find the dead puppy on Porowei Way at Kooragang. Police said advice would be sought from a veterinarian after the body was examined. Owen was taken to Nelson Bay Police Station and charged. He spent the night in custody before he was released on bail on Monday, July 21. The court heard at that time that the allegations against Owen were "disturbing", that he had only had the puppy for a short time, and that CCTV and a witness account would be part of the prosecution case. A MAN accused of violently attacking a nine-week-old puppy then dumping its body in Newcastle bushland will apply to have his charges dealt with under mental health legislation. Cooper Anthony Owen, 21, has been on strict bail and did not have to attend Raymond Terrace Local Court on Monday when his animal cruelty case was mentioned. He was not required to enter pleas. His defence lawyer asked for an adjournment to prepare for an application to have the matter dealt with under mental health legislation. Magistrate Ronald Maiden made an interim order disqualifying Owen from owning or possessing an animal while the case was going through the court. Owen will next face Raymond Terrace Local Court in September. The mental health application, if successful, would allow Owen to enter into a treatment or support plan rather than face punishment in the criminal justice system. Owen faces charges of committing an act of aggravated cruelty upon a nine-week-old Staffy cross Bull Arab puppy; and torture, beat etc. and seriously injure the animal. The Lemon Tree Passage man allegedly stopped his vehicle in a carpark on Maitland Road at Sandgate sometime between 4pm and 4.20pm on Sunday, July 20, and removed a puppy. Police were told he slammed the dog against the side of the vehicle several times before throwing it on the ground and continuing the assault. He then allegedly put the puppy back into the vehicle. Newcastle police were alerted and just after 9pm that night, officers went to a home in Lemon Tree Passage and arrested Owen. They also seized clothing, a car seat cover and a mobile phone for further examination. Police inquiries led officers to find the dead puppy on Porowei Way at Kooragang. Police said advice would be sought from a veterinarian after the body was examined. Owen was taken to Nelson Bay Police Station and charged. He spent the night in custody before he was released on bail on Monday, July 21. The court heard at that time that the allegations against Owen were "disturbing", that he had only had the puppy for a short time, and that CCTV and a witness account would be part of the prosecution case.
