Repeat animal cruelty offenders, Kon Petropoulos and his wife Liudmila Petropoulos, appeared in court again facing a charge of failing to comply with court orders less than four months after they were handed down in March 2020.

The pair pleaded guilty and were collectively penalised a total of over $16,000, including fines and RSPCA’s full legal costs.

During sentencing this week, Magistrate Holzer emphasised the importance of specific and general deterrence and stressed the need for animals, whether in personal or commercial settings, to be treated with care and love, condemning any form of cruelty.

Notably, he stated with respect, neither Kon nor Liudmila Petropoulos were fit and proper to have the privilege of owning animals or conducting a business.

RSPCA Victoria’s Chief Inspector, Michael Stagg, said the organisation wouldn’t cease its pursuit of those involved in the illegal breeding, rearing, or selling of animals.

“We are determined to stamp out these illegal and cruel businesses and we hope the decision by the court serves as a stark warning to these offenders and other potential offenders; it’s just not worth it,” Chief Inspector Stagg said.

“We urge all Victorians to remain vigilant when buying a pet to ensure they’re not contributing to this type of animal cruelty, and to report any suspicious animal sales to RSPCA.”

Mr and Mrs Petropoulos previously faced sentencing in the County Court in September 2023 in a separate RSPCA prosecution resulting in them both receiving:

• A two-year community corrections order with 200 hours of community work.
• A ten-year ban on owning, breeding, rearing, and selling cats, monitored by RSPCA Victoria.
• $25,000 fines each, and payment of $144,247.87 in total costs to RSPCA Victoria.
• Transfer or surrender of any cats in their care within 14 days to RSPCA’s satisfaction.

Anyone with concerns for the welfare of an animal or suspicious animal sales is encouraged to contact RSPCA Victoria on 03 9224 2222 or submit a report at rspcavic.org/tip-off-form/ immediately.

The RSPCA Smart Buyers Guides contains tips for identifying scams and ‘red flags’ for prospective dog or cat owners, including:

• Red Flag: buying a pet over the internet without meeting them first, you could inadvertently be supporting an intensive breeding facility or poor breeding practices, or you could fall victim to a scam.
• Red Flag: puppies or kittens advertised as ‘six-weeks old’ – always wait until puppies and kittens are at least eight weeks old before bringing them home so they are sufficiently weaned, and their immune systems are developed.
• Red Flag: delivery being arranged – reputable breeders will want to meet you and find out more about you, and you should want to meet them, see the animal in person first – along with its parents where possible.

RSPCA Victoria is urging caution among dog owners in the Bayswater area after a puppy in their care, who was surrendered to RSPCA’s Inspectorate from the area, tested positive for distemper – a highly contagious viral disease affecting domestic dogs.

Though preventable through vaccination, distemper is often fatal after affecting the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and central nervous system of the dog. Distemper is contagious to other dogs, ferrets and some wildlife, but not humans or cats.

While this is an isolated case, given the highly contagious nature of the virus the RSPCA is asking the community to remain cautious of the symptoms and ensure their dogs’ and puppies’ vaccinations are up-to-date.

Signs of the virus may include one, some or all of the following:

• diarrhea
• vomiting
• thick yellow discharge from the eyes and nose
• cough, and
• in severe cases, seizures and neurological signs like stumbling, head tilt, and paralysis.

Anyone concerned about the health of their dog or puppy should contact their local veterinarian or RSPCA’s Veterinary Clinics.

For those in the Bayswater area, it’s recommended they contact their veterinarian before bringing them into the clinic if they suspect they may have or have been exposed to distemper. It is also recommended that contact with other dogs be limited – particularly if their vaccines are not up-to-date or their vaccine status is unknown.

Frequently asked questions

RSPCA has successfully prosecuted a Bendigo woman for animal cruelty after her dog was found to have been starved over a prolonged period of time.

In 2022, RSPCA Victoria received a report about a severely emaciated greyhound who presented at a veterinary clinic in Bendigo.

The dog’s condition was dire, with significant muscle wastage, an inability to stand, dehydration, and hypothermia. Due to the extent of the dog’s condition and poor prognosis, they were humanely euthanased.

The local vet noted the dog had been suffering for an extended period, with a post-mortem examination confirming severe emaciation and malnutrition.

“The most significant gross finding was severe emaciation, lack of subcutaneous fat stores and the presence foreign material in the stomach,” Dr Gregory from the University of Melbourne Veterinary clinic who conducted the post-mortem said.

“Other changes including atrophy of bone marrow is mostly consistent with reduced protein and calorie intake over prolonged period consistent with the changes in the body arising from starvation.”

RSPCA Victoria charged the dog’s owner with failure to provide the animal with proper and sufficient food, drink or shelter, unreasonably failing to provide veterinary or other appropriate attention or treatment for the animal, and acts of cruelty on an animal, which result in the death or serious disablement of the animal.

RSPCA Victoria Chief Inspector Michael Stagg said this case was a heartbreaking example of neglect and cruelty across the state.

“No animal deserves to suffer like this dog did, and unfortunately cases of this degree of neglect are not uncommon,” Chief Inspector Stagg said.

“Pet owners and people in charge of animals need to ensure they are aware of their legal responsibilities to provide proper food, water, shelter, along with routine and emergency veterinary care when required, and prevent this type of harm coming to animals.”

The woman cited financial constraints as the reason for his inadequate care and was placed on a 12-month good behaviour bond without conviction. RSPCA was granted some costs and secured a 10-year disqualification order against dog ownership for the woman, excluding her current dog, along with a 10-year monitoring order.

The relevant offences are under Section 9 and 10 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986. Anyone found guilty of these offences can face fines of up to $48,077.50 or 12 months’ imprisonment (for section 9) and fines of up to $96,155 or 2 years imprisonment (for section 10).

Anyone with concerns about the welfare of animals to make a report to RSPCA Victoria at rspcavic.org/cruelty-report/ or on 03 9224 2222.

RSPCA Victoria has successfully prosecuted a Brimbank man for animal cruelty after more than 70 roosters were found at his property groomed for cockfighting.

Brimbank City Council officers had originally discovered the roosters along with fifteen hens and a cockfighting ring at the property and reported it to RSPCA Victoria’s Inspectorate.

The RSPCA Inspectors’ visit to the property found the cockfighting ring designed for operating and recording cockfights, transport boxes covered in blood and faeces, and seven recently mutilated roosters.

A pile of combs¹ recently cut from roosters was also found near a pair of bloodied scissors, along with the animals’ wattles², and spurs³, all of which appeared to have been severed without veterinary treatment.

Searches of the property also found cockfighting implements, drugs, and paraphernalia such as syringes and strapping tape, and the man’s mobile phone also contained incriminating photos and videos related to cockfighting, including footage of him training roosters to fight.

Speaking about the result RSPCA Victoria Chief Inspector Michael Stagg said it was a great step in ending this brutal blood sport.

“RSPCA Victoria is committed to stamping out illegal animal fighting in our state,” Chief Inspector Stagg said.

“Cockfighting is illegal and cruel, and as seen in this case the roosters used in this blood-sport suffer horrific injuries. Sadly, this latest investigation shows these barbaric activities are still occurring.”

RSPCA Inspectors had charged the man with offences under Sections 9, 12, and 13 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 (POCTAA). The charges related to cockfighting and breaches of regulations under the Act. At the time of the charges, the man was already banned from keeping any poultry except for five hens.

The Magistrate imposed a 12-month Community Corrections Order (CCO) with a conviction, including the requirement to complete an animal cruelty program. A full banning order was also imposed, prohibiting the offender from owning any roosters for a lifetime period.

Anyone who commits an offence after 1 July 2023 under Section 9 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 can face fines of up to $48,077.50 or 12-month imprisonment. Anyone found guilty of an offence after 1 July 2023 under Sections 12AF or 13 of The Act can face fines of up to $96,155.00 or 2-year imprisonment.

Anyone with concerns about the welfare of animals to make a report to RSPCA Victoria at rspcavic.org/cruelty-report/ or on 03 9224 2222.

¹Comb – Fleshy crest on the top of the head

²Wattle – Two thin, flexible flaps of skin that hang under a rooster’s beak

³Small, horn-like protrusion that grows from a chicken’s leg just above the foot