Michaela Meade
A Mill Park woman has been prosecuted by RSPCA Victoria for “grossly neglecting” a poodle.
The woman has had a 15-month community corrections order imposed and a disqualification order banning her from owning or being the person in charge of a dog for five years, RSPCA said.
An RSPCA inspector attended a residence in Mill Park on December 15, 2017, after a report of an abandoned dog in poor condition. The inspector found a four-year-old poodle dog left in the yard.
RSPCA said the dog, Dobby, was heavily matted, very dirty and thin, with no access to food, water or shelter.
He was taken to RSPCA Victoria’s Burwood veterinary clinic after being seized due to “serious welfare concerns”.
RSPCA said Dobby was found to be emaciated, dehydrated and anaemic, and his matted coat had grass seeds and small pieces of wire embedded in it.
Once Dobby was clipped, RSPCA said the removed fur weighed 650 grams, almost 18 per cent of his total body weight.
The dog spent two months in the clinic, and after seven weeks his weight had increased by 75 per cent.
Dobby was rehomed in early March 2018.
RSPCA Victoria chief inspector Michael Stagg said the organisation would “not give up” its pursuit of offenders of animal cruelty and neglect.
“There is no excuse for any animal to be neglected and we want to send the strong message that we will continue to hold people to account if they are not providing their pets with the required standards of care,” Mr Stagg said.
“Last financial year we received 10,745 cruelty reports with over 1150 reports relating to abandoned animals and more than 5500 reports relating to animals with insufficient food, water or shelter provided.
“It simply isn’t good enough and the RSPCA is committed to stamping out this behaviour.
“If your circumstances change and you are no longer able to care for your animal, you owe it to them to do the right thing and seek help or support.”
The Mill Park woman was found guilty under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1984 for failing to provide an animal with sufficient food or drink, abandonment of an animal, and failing to provide veterinary or other appropriate attention or treatment.
