RSPCA Victoria has charged a 41-year-old man who allegedly kicked a dog at a protest held on Elizabeth Street in Melbourne on the 20th September 2021 after an investigation conducted by RSPCA Victoria's Inspectorate and Victoria Police.
The accused has been charged under Section 9(1)(a) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 (POCTAA) with committing an act of cruelty on an animal. A court that finds a person guilty of this offence can impose a maximum penalty of $45,435 or 12 months' imprisonment.
After video footage emerged of a dog allegedly being kicked when protests took place in Melbourne last month, RSPCA Victoria's Inspectorate received multiple cruelty reports relating to the matter, which assisted with its investigation and has now resulted in a charge being laid.
RSPCA Victoria's Chief Inspector Michael Stagg said it was pleasing to see so many Victorians provide information to the RSPCA.
"Many concerned Victorians reported the incident both to Victoria Police and to RSPCA Victoria's Inspectorate, which is authorised to enforce Victoria's animal cruelty legislation.
"Every incident of animal cruelty is serious, and the Victorian public are the RSPCA's eyes and ears when it comes to these matters. We encourage anyone with information about any animal cruelty matters to provide that information to the RSPCA. All matters reported by the public will be investigated swiftly and we are committed to holding offenders to account" Mr Stagg said.
