RSPCA Victoria Inspectors are authorised to investigate animal cruelty reports defined by the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act (POCTAA) 1986 as well as investigate illegal Domestic Animal Businesses (DABs) defined by the Domestic Animals Act (DAA) 1994. Below is a list of some of our recent prosecutions.
Date of case | Location | Species involved | Court | Case details | Charges | Sentence |
13 Feb 2020 | Belgrave Heights | Rabbits (59), guinea pigs (69) | Ringwood | The accused was the owner and person in charge of 59 rabbits and 69 guinea pigs. Despite several visits to help manage numbers, the accused was not willing to reduce numbers further. | 9(1)b 9(1)b | The accused was placed on an adjourned undertaking to be of good behaviour for a period of 12 months. The accused was further disqualified from being the person in charge of any more than 10 guinea pigs and eight. rabbits for a period of five. years.. |
20 Feb 2020 | Cats (38) | Broadmeadows | The accused was the owner and person in charge of 38 cats which were housed in cramped and unsanitary conditions and exhibiting signs of cat flu. All cats seized. | N/A | The accused attended court and, after lengthy discussions, they opted to surrender all cats to RSPCA Victoria. The application was thus withdrawn. | |
21 Feb 2020 | Mount Clear | Dog (1) | Ballarat | The accused was the owner and person in charge of a dog who was contained in a back yard with no food, water or shelter, and with a heavy flea burden. | 9(1)c | The accused was convicted and ordered to pay a fine of $1,500 and costs of $1,319. The accused was also disqualified from being the person in charge of any domestic pet or animal for a period of five years. |
24 Feb 2020 | Dogs (2) | Broadmeadows | The accused was the owner and person in charge of two huskies. No shelter was provided despite advice, verbal instruction and a subsequent NTC. | 9(1)f 24ZP(2) | The accused was convicted and fined $2,000 with a further $6,685 in costs. They were also disqualified from being the person in charge of any dog for a period of five years. | |
*This case is currently being appealed by the accused | ||||||