Man accused of attacking puppy, dumping body to make mental health application
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.
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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.
The Advertiser
03-06-2025
- The Advertiser
Trail bike 'wheelie' causes carnage on suburban street near playground
Police are hunting a trail bike rider who crashed into three cars at Kahibah during school pick-up on Monday while doing a wheelie down a suburban street. The crash happened in Hexham Street shortly before 4pm and only metres from Hilltop Kahibah Takeaway and Kahibah Memorial Park, which was filled with children playing at the playground after school. The rider was heading west and initially hit a Mitsubishi Outlander SUV head-on before crashing into two parked vehicles. Several bystanders rushed towards the rider, who miraculously seemed to escape injury. Videos circulating on social media appear to depict the rider fleeing the scene by pushing his bike down Hexham Road as he screamed "don't touch me" to bystanders giving chase. Kahibah resident Mel Owen was at the playground with her children when she heard the trail bike revving up Hexham Street. "He was up on one tyre, going along for a few metres and then crashed into a car that was pulling out from a parked position," Ms Owen said. "He nicked that car and then fell off the bike as he and the bike crashed into two parked cars, which had people in them." Ms Owen said several bystanders rushed towards the trail bike rider, believing he had been seriously injured. "I ran over and he gets up and says, 'Ow'," she said. "He then gets up, pulls his bike up off the road and starts running away from everyone, pushing the bike along and running as fast as he could." Dudley resident Neil Keene was sitting in his car waiting to pick up his son from the school bus when the trail bike crashed into the back of his vehicle. "I heard this screech and a bang and he has bounced off a car he hit front-on, because he was doing a wheelie, and then he hit my car and tried to regain control but couldn't and hit another car and was on the ground," Mr Keene said. The collision damaged Mr Keene's bumper and popped a tyre. Lake Macquarie police were called to the scene and a short time later they located the unregistered motorbike unattended at a housing complex in Hexham Street. The rider was not located, and inquiries to identify the rider are ongoing by Lake Macquarie Police. Mr Keene said illegal trail bike riding has increasingly become a menace across the eastern suburbs of Lake Macquarie. "I almost had a serious collision with a trail bike on a road in Windale when he went straight through an intersection and if it was one second later, he would have T-boned my car," he said. "He obviously would have come off far worse. "I've seen it at Belmont with guys doing wheelies in the middle of the highway." Anyone with information or dashcam footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Police are hunting a trail bike rider who crashed into three cars at Kahibah during school pick-up on Monday while doing a wheelie down a suburban street. The crash happened in Hexham Street shortly before 4pm and only metres from Hilltop Kahibah Takeaway and Kahibah Memorial Park, which was filled with children playing at the playground after school. The rider was heading west and initially hit a Mitsubishi Outlander SUV head-on before crashing into two parked vehicles. Several bystanders rushed towards the rider, who miraculously seemed to escape injury. Videos circulating on social media appear to depict the rider fleeing the scene by pushing his bike down Hexham Road as he screamed "don't touch me" to bystanders giving chase. Kahibah resident Mel Owen was at the playground with her children when she heard the trail bike revving up Hexham Street. "He was up on one tyre, going along for a few metres and then crashed into a car that was pulling out from a parked position," Ms Owen said. "He nicked that car and then fell off the bike as he and the bike crashed into two parked cars, which had people in them." Ms Owen said several bystanders rushed towards the trail bike rider, believing he had been seriously injured. "I ran over and he gets up and says, 'Ow'," she said. "He then gets up, pulls his bike up off the road and starts running away from everyone, pushing the bike along and running as fast as he could." Dudley resident Neil Keene was sitting in his car waiting to pick up his son from the school bus when the trail bike crashed into the back of his vehicle. "I heard this screech and a bang and he has bounced off a car he hit front-on, because he was doing a wheelie, and then he hit my car and tried to regain control but couldn't and hit another car and was on the ground," Mr Keene said. The collision damaged Mr Keene's bumper and popped a tyre. Lake Macquarie police were called to the scene and a short time later they located the unregistered motorbike unattended at a housing complex in Hexham Street. The rider was not located, and inquiries to identify the rider are ongoing by Lake Macquarie Police. Mr Keene said illegal trail bike riding has increasingly become a menace across the eastern suburbs of Lake Macquarie. "I almost had a serious collision with a trail bike on a road in Windale when he went straight through an intersection and if it was one second later, he would have T-boned my car," he said. "He obviously would have come off far worse. "I've seen it at Belmont with guys doing wheelies in the middle of the highway." Anyone with information or dashcam footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Police are hunting a trail bike rider who crashed into three cars at Kahibah during school pick-up on Monday while doing a wheelie down a suburban street. The crash happened in Hexham Street shortly before 4pm and only metres from Hilltop Kahibah Takeaway and Kahibah Memorial Park, which was filled with children playing at the playground after school. The rider was heading west and initially hit a Mitsubishi Outlander SUV head-on before crashing into two parked vehicles. Several bystanders rushed towards the rider, who miraculously seemed to escape injury. Videos circulating on social media appear to depict the rider fleeing the scene by pushing his bike down Hexham Road as he screamed "don't touch me" to bystanders giving chase. Kahibah resident Mel Owen was at the playground with her children when she heard the trail bike revving up Hexham Street. "He was up on one tyre, going along for a few metres and then crashed into a car that was pulling out from a parked position," Ms Owen said. "He nicked that car and then fell off the bike as he and the bike crashed into two parked cars, which had people in them." Ms Owen said several bystanders rushed towards the trail bike rider, believing he had been seriously injured. "I ran over and he gets up and says, 'Ow'," she said. "He then gets up, pulls his bike up off the road and starts running away from everyone, pushing the bike along and running as fast as he could." Dudley resident Neil Keene was sitting in his car waiting to pick up his son from the school bus when the trail bike crashed into the back of his vehicle. "I heard this screech and a bang and he has bounced off a car he hit front-on, because he was doing a wheelie, and then he hit my car and tried to regain control but couldn't and hit another car and was on the ground," Mr Keene said. The collision damaged Mr Keene's bumper and popped a tyre. Lake Macquarie police were called to the scene and a short time later they located the unregistered motorbike unattended at a housing complex in Hexham Street. The rider was not located, and inquiries to identify the rider are ongoing by Lake Macquarie Police. Mr Keene said illegal trail bike riding has increasingly become a menace across the eastern suburbs of Lake Macquarie. "I almost had a serious collision with a trail bike on a road in Windale when he went straight through an intersection and if it was one second later, he would have T-boned my car," he said. "He obviously would have come off far worse. "I've seen it at Belmont with guys doing wheelies in the middle of the highway." Anyone with information or dashcam footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Police are hunting a trail bike rider who crashed into three cars at Kahibah during school pick-up on Monday while doing a wheelie down a suburban street. The crash happened in Hexham Street shortly before 4pm and only metres from Hilltop Kahibah Takeaway and Kahibah Memorial Park, which was filled with children playing at the playground after school. The rider was heading west and initially hit a Mitsubishi Outlander SUV head-on before crashing into two parked vehicles. Several bystanders rushed towards the rider, who miraculously seemed to escape injury. Videos circulating on social media appear to depict the rider fleeing the scene by pushing his bike down Hexham Road as he screamed "don't touch me" to bystanders giving chase. Kahibah resident Mel Owen was at the playground with her children when she heard the trail bike revving up Hexham Street. "He was up on one tyre, going along for a few metres and then crashed into a car that was pulling out from a parked position," Ms Owen said. "He nicked that car and then fell off the bike as he and the bike crashed into two parked cars, which had people in them." Ms Owen said several bystanders rushed towards the trail bike rider, believing he had been seriously injured. "I ran over and he gets up and says, 'Ow'," she said. "He then gets up, pulls his bike up off the road and starts running away from everyone, pushing the bike along and running as fast as he could." Dudley resident Neil Keene was sitting in his car waiting to pick up his son from the school bus when the trail bike crashed into the back of his vehicle. "I heard this screech and a bang and he has bounced off a car he hit front-on, because he was doing a wheelie, and then he hit my car and tried to regain control but couldn't and hit another car and was on the ground," Mr Keene said. The collision damaged Mr Keene's bumper and popped a tyre. Lake Macquarie police were called to the scene and a short time later they located the unregistered motorbike unattended at a housing complex in Hexham Street. The rider was not located, and inquiries to identify the rider are ongoing by Lake Macquarie Police. Mr Keene said illegal trail bike riding has increasingly become a menace across the eastern suburbs of Lake Macquarie. "I almost had a serious collision with a trail bike on a road in Windale when he went straight through an intersection and if it was one second later, he would have T-boned my car," he said. "He obviously would have come off far worse. "I've seen it at Belmont with guys doing wheelies in the middle of the highway." Anyone with information or dashcam footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
7NEWS
10-05-2025
- 7NEWS
Family member charged with manslaughter over 2023 death of four-week-old baby
A family member charged with manslaughter more than a year after the 'abhorrent' death of a four-week-old baby has been granted bail. Police arrested a 26-year-old man on Friday morning over the July 2023 death of the boy in Wagga Wagga, NSW. The man, who police said was a family member, brought the baby to Wagga Wagga Base Hospital suffering a critical illness along with other injuries that were allegedly deliberately inflicted. Those injuries included multiple broken bones, police said. The infant died three days later at the Sydney Children's Hospital. The man was granted bail on a $10,000 surety after facing Albury Local Court charged with manslaughter on Friday. He is next due before Wagga Wagga Local Court in July. Detective Inspector Peter Owen said the death had profoundly impacted those in the southern NSW community. 'All of these matters, including this, deeply impact the people who are associated, whether they be teachers, health workers, police, the extended family and community members,' he told reporters on Friday. 'The death of an infant is tragic — where there are suspected inflicted injuries, it's another level that is abhorrent to people.' The man was arrested in Albury on the NSW-Victorian border and charged with domestic violence-related manslaughter. He was visiting other children when arrested, Det Insp Owen said. He was not adversely known to police before the incident. Police declined to confirm whether the suspect was the deceased infant's father. The years-long investigation into the death involved assistance from the secretive NSW Crime Commission. 'It's coming up to two years of consistent, dedicated work from a small team of regional detectives,' Det Insp Owen said. 'The dedication and devotion to this job is an absolute credit to those detectives.' The baby is survived by two siblings, police said. If you need help in a crisis, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
