A 27-year-old Sugarloaf Creek woman has been convicted of two counts of animal cruelty at the Seymour Magistrates Court on Thursday, 16 January 2025.
RSPCA Victoria Inspectors attended a property in Sugarloaf Creek after receiving a cruelty report from a member of the public who found two visibly underweight dogs without access to water.
The Inspectors instructed the woman to immediately provide the animals with water and created a written feeding plan, food, and flea treatments for the animals.
Despite initially regaining weight, the Inspectors found the two dogs were soon underweight again without access to water and seized the animals.
RSPCA Victoria’s treating veterinarian said the animals’ starvation was obvious to the average person.
“The dogs were suffering from starvation … caused by inadequate nutrition for at least four weeks prior to entering RSPCA care,” the veterinarian said.
“The rapid weight gain in care indicates they had been starving for an extended period.
“A layperson should have recognised their severe underweight condition and sought veterinary advice before the RSPCA’s intervention.”
Magistrate Vaughan found all charges proven, and the woman was convicted with $2,500 in fines and disqualified from owning any animals for six years.
RSPCA Victoria Chief Inspector Michelle Green said failing to provide animals with sufficient food was cruelty.
“There is no excuse if you starve your animal like this,” Chief Inspector Green said.
“RSPCA Inspectors are dedicated to helping animals escape cruelty, and that can include working with owners to educate them on what their animals need to be healthy.
“However, failing to provide food and water, especially when their starvation is obvious to the average person, is simply cruel and should never happen to any animal.”
The relevant offences are covered under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986.
Anyone found guilty of cruelty offences can face fines of up to $49,397.50 or 12 months’ imprisonment.
Anyone with concerns about the welfare of animals is urged to make a report to RSPCA Victoria at rspcavic.org/cruelty-report or by calling 03 9224 2222.
It’s estimated it will cost RSPCA Victoria more than $10.7 million to operate the Inspectorate this financial year.
