A 36-year-old woman from Seaford pleaded guilty at the Frankston Magistrates’ Court on 22 January 2026 to one count of aggravated cruelty under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act (1986).
RSPCA Victoria Inspectors attended the woman’s Seaford home after receiving a report from a member of the public, where they found an American Staffordshire Bull Terrier–type dog with a sizeable, suspected tumour requiring veterinary assessment.
The Inspectors instructed the owner to arrange veterinary treatment for the animal, however, appropriate care was not provided, and the dog was brought to an RSPCA Victoria veterinary clinic for assessment.
RSPCA Victoria’s treating veterinarians found a bacterial skin infection had also developed on the tumour site and the mass had increased in size, and the dog underwent surgical removal of the mass, but received a terminal cancer diagnosis.
An initial post-operative assessment indicated successful recovery, however the dog’s condition deteriorated severely over the course of several weeks despite the owner claiming it had recovered.
When Inspectors followed up on the animal’s progress, they detected a strong odour and found the dog was unable to walk and had a new wound on its right hind leg that was necrotic with exposed bone and maggots, prompting the animal’s immediate seizure and transportation to an RSPCA Victoria veterinary clinic.
An RSPCA Victoria senior Veterinarian said the dog’s obvious pain and poor welfare state required urgent veterinary attention given the extensive wounds and significant weight loss.
“This dog had been suffering from these wounds for at least two weeks, but potentially up to three months,” the RSPCA Veterinary expert said.
“It’s reasonable to expect that a lay person, particularly one who had received prior veterinary guidance regarding their dog’s skin conditions, would recognise the required veterinary attention for the extensive wounds and significant weight loss.”
Magistrate Hardy said the lack of care for the animal was almost unbelievable.
“How you didn’t do anything beggars belief,” His Honour said.
“This was overwhelming offending.”
The woman was fined $3,000 without conviction, ordered to pay $1,180 in costs and disqualified from owning or being in charge of any dog for five years.
RSPCA Victoria Chief Inspector Michelle Green stated that despite the repeated guidance and instructions, the owner failed to act and left the dog to suffer.
“This case highlights the importance of preventative veterinary care and also protecting animals when they are unwell or in recovery,” Chief Inspector Green said.
“This was a horrific case of animal cruelty and neglect that caused tremendous pain and suffering that was completely avoidable.
“Pet owners have a legal obligation to provide appropriate or veterinary care for their animals when in need.”
The relevant offences fall under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act (1986), and anyone found guilty of cruelty offences can face fines of up to $101,755.00 or 2 years’ imprisonment.
Anyone with concerns about the welfare of animals is urged to make a report to RSPCA Victoria at rspcavic.org/who-to-call or by calling 03 9224 2222.
It’s estimated it will cost RSPCA Victoria more than $12.8 million to operate the Inspectorate this financial year.
