Elderly Australian Abusers Flee the Law

Sad, and weird, story.

Australians have been told to be on the lookout for a couple who are on the run with dozens of abused and mistreated dogs in a trailer.

Joseph Higham, 66, and his wife, Margarete, 73, fled a court in Adelaide, South Australia, last week, after being found guilty of 11 counts of animal cruelty.

They were convicted in their absence after failing to attend court and are said to be chronic "hoarders" of pets, keeping so many dogs that they cannot possibly care for them all....

They were believed to be driving south into neighbouring Victoria, or possibly New South Wales, with an enclosed metal trailer containing up to 100 dogs. Police have issued a warrant for their arrest....

The couple suffered from an unusual form of mental illness, she said. "Like people hoard things in their garage, they hoard dogs.”

The RSPCA said the couple had previously been convicted of 123 cruelty offences in New South Wales and an unconfirmed number in Queensland.