Richard William McCudden pleaded not guilty to the charges in Young Local Court on February 5.

The matters have been adjourned for hearing in Young Court on September 13 this year.

McCudden, who was living near Boorowa at the time of the offences, has been charged with one count of cruelty to an animal and seven counts of being in charge of an animal and failing to provide veterinary treatment.

When contacted over the matters a spokesperson for the RSPCA told the Young Witness “ as this matter is currently before the court, we are unable to make any comments at this stage”.

In December 2016 McCudden was found guilty of four counts relating to animal cruelty in a hearing before the Cowra Local Court.

Finding McCudden guilty, in 2016, Magistrate Peter Dare ordered he entered into a Section 9 Good Behavior Bond for three years and to continue with any treatment regime for mental illness. 

He was also ordered to pay $173,254.78 to the RSPCA for vet and boarding costs and professional costs of $6873. 

At the time McCudden was permitted to care and have custody control of no more than 33 cats for a period of five years. 

During the Cowra proceedings solicitor Ford for the RSPCA said the organisation had had dealings with McCudden since 2009.

McCudden was running what was described as a “cat sanctuary” in Cowra at the time.

Cowra Shire Council took him to the Land and Environment Court to restrict the number of cats he could house at his Cowra property after reports of up to 200 cats being housed at his “sanctuary”.