A 27-year-old Epsom man has been found guilty of one count of failing to provide veterinary treatment to his dog at the Bendigo Magistrates Court on 04 September 2024.
The man has been sentenced to a 2-year good behaviour bond without conviction and fined $1,000.
RSPCA Victoria Inspectors opened an investigation after receiving an animal cruelty report from a member of the public concerning a dog at the man's property.
When the Inspectors attended the man's property, they found the animal was struggling to walk due to a large mass on its hind leg but were unable to speak with the owner.
The Inspectors reattended the next day and instructed the man to immediately take his dog to a veterinary clinic for examination.
A veterinarian reported the mass on the dog's leg was a round cell tumour that would have been present and affecting the animal's mobility for several months.
The report found the lump's size and impact on the dog's mobility would have been obvious to a layperson as requiring veterinary treatment.
The dog was found to be otherwise healthy; however, the development of the growth meant the dog had lost significant muscle mass in its hind legs and euthanasia was determined as the only remaining course of action.
The presiding magistrate found the man had failed to provide appropriate veterinary care for his dog, sentencing him to a 2-year Good Behaviour Bond without conviction and fining him $1,000.
RSPCA Victoria Chief Inspector Michelle Green said the case had a sad outcome for the animal and urged pet owners to seek help if they were struggling with providing care for their animals.
"The law is very clear that all pet owners in Victoria must provide veterinary treatment for their animals," Chief Inspector Green said.
"If you are worried about being able to afford your pet's care, please speak to your local vet clinic, council, or other groups in your area for support before it's too late.
"Before you get an animal as a pet, you must consider whether you have the capacity to look after it in the future."
Anyone found guilty of cruelty offences under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 can face fines of up to $49,397.50 or 12 months' imprisonment.
RSPCA Victoria urges anyone with concerns about the welfare of animals to make a report to us at rspcavic.org/cruelty-report or on 03 9224 2222.
It's estimated it will cost RSPCA Victoria more than $10.7 million to operate the Inspectorate this financial year.
