Angry protesters called for the maximum penalty for the man who killed nine puppies at Kurri Kurri during a rally in Newcastle yesterday.
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About 70 people gathered to call for the maximum penalty for Nathan Thompson, who has pleaded guilty to killing the puppies.
Thompson, 25, from Kurri Kurri appeared at East Maitland courthouse on March 13 where magistrate Caleb Franklin granted him conditional bail.
The case was adjourned until April 28. The court date has since been brought forward and Thompson will face Newcastle Local Court today, on charges of aggravated animal cruelty, serious animal cruelty and resisting arrest.
A small remembrance ceremony for the nine puppies was held at the start of the rally yesterday.
Nine puppy collars with tags were placed before the crowd, the poem The Rainbow Bridge was read and there was a minute’s silence in memory of the puppies.
The rally was at Fletcher Park and people chanted, “No excuse, animal abuse” in front of a crowd and the media.
“We will definitely follow this right through to the end,” rally organiser Callie Redman said.
“We want to see this guy dealt with properly.”
The Mercury will report live from the courtroom today.
To follow the coverage follow us on Twitter @MaitlandMercury.
Thompson faces up to five years in prison and was banned from owning an animal for 10 years at his first court appearance.