By Olivia Condous
A Melton South woman has been prosecuted by the RSPCA for a “heartbreaking” case of animal neglect, heard at the Sunshine Magistrates’ Court on Friday August 5.
The woman has had a 12-month community corrections order imposed and the court banned her from owning a dog for ten years, RSPCA said.
She was also ordered to pay costs of $1920 and will serve 200 hours of community work under her corrections order.
The accused was in charge of a Great Dane cross dog named Rocky, who was found by RSPCA Inspectors at a property in Melton South in poor condition.
According to the RSPCA, Rocky was “extremely” emaciated, recumbent and barely responsive.
He was seized and transported to the RSPCA Burwood Clinic, where he was treated for hypothermia, emaciation, dehydration and fleas.
Despite his condition improving after intensive care and treatment, Rocky passed away three days later.
A veterinary assessment concluded that Rocky would have been losing significant body condition for at least two weeks and blood tests revealed he was anemic, showing clinical signs of prolonged starvation.
The assessment concluded that a lay person would have been able to recognise he needed veterinary treatment.
Under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986, any person in charge of an animal must provide food, water and shelter, as well as appropriate husbandry and veterinary attention as needed.
RSPCA team leader Karen Collier said that the case had been particularly heartbreaking and the neglect to which Rocky was subjected was utterly unacceptable.
“No animal should be left to suffer in the manner Rocky would have experienced. I will never understand how anyone can let an animal deteriorate to this point and stand idly by,” Inspector Collier said.
“While this isn’t the outcome we had hoped for, I do take solace in the fact that Rocky spent his last days receiving the love and care he so deserved.”
