A 57-year-old Kilmore man has pleaded guilty to four charges of animal cruelty at the Seymour Magistrates Court on Thursday 16 January 2025.
RSPCA Victoria Inspectors attended a property in Kilmore after receiving a tip-off from a member of the public about a group of abandoned cats and a dog living in squalid conditions.
The property had an extensive buildup of faeces and urine inside with no food or water available for the animals, who were suffering from significant dental disease, cat flu, flea infestations, matted fur, and had ingested foreign objects.
Upon arrival, the Inspectors seized 11 cats due to immediate welfare concerns plus a deceased cat found at the property and returned to seize a further 17 cats and one dog the next day.
RSPCA Victoria's treating veterinarian said a layperson would have recognised the animals were living in filthy conditions and needed medical attention.
"To prevent ongoing suffering the animals needed to be moved to clean pens and offered an appropriate type and amount of food and water," The veterinarian said.
"It would have been obvious to a layperson that these animals' living conditions were filthy and that the cats needed medical attention.
"Veterinary advice on care and husbandry should have been sought for these animals"
The man pleaded guilty and was convicted of 4 counts of animal cruelty, was fined $4,000 with costs of $1,003.50, and banned from owning or being in charge of any cats for five years.
RSPCA Victoria Chief Inspector Michelle Green said the animals in this case had suffered significantly.
"These animals were forced to live in foul conditions without relief and have suffered extensively as a result.
"Their teeth were rotting, their fur was filthy and matted, and they were eating anything they could to survive because there was no food or water available.
"There is no excuse for any animal to be left in conditions like this and we will not stop fighting animal cruelty offences of this nature."
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 $98,795 or 2 years' imprisonment.
RSPCA Victoria previously reported on the seizure of these animals in June 2023: RSPCA Victoria seizes 28 cats and kittens from horrible conditions
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.
