Troy Laurence Bennett sentenced for animal cruelty at Maroochydore Magistrates Court

A former Sunshine Coast social worker has been described as a “drunk who ruins people’s lives” after tormenting his neighbours and belting his own dog.

Picture – generic.

A Sunshine Coast man with a serious alcohol problem, previously convicted for attacking his elderly neighbour, has faced court for being the ‘neighbour from hell’ and belting his poor defenceless dog.

Troy Laurence Bennett, 50, of Mooloolaba, faced Maroochydore Magistrates Court from behind bars on Wednesday, November 29 – for yelling, swearing, and carrying on at unreasonable times at his apartment complex, and attacking his own dog. He pleaded guilty to the charges.

Bennett had spent 17 days in jail since he was arrested for being a public nuisance and for animal cruelty at his home on November 12.

The court heard this was after spending November 11 in lockup after already being arrested.

Neighbours called the police multiple times late that night to complain Bennett was drunk, yelling, and loudly swearing – including f**k and c**t.

The court heard Bennett told neighbours to “mind your own business or I’ll kill you”.

He also threw a chair off his balcony.

The court was told Bennett was on a suspended sentence for attacking one of his neighbours, a 60-year-old woman, earlier this year.

Magistrate Matthew McLaughlin said he was the “neighbour from hell”.

After being released from the watchouse, and terrorising his neighbours some more, Bennett turned his attention to his innocent, defenceless cattle dog.

Troy Laurence Bennett sentenced for animal cruelty at Maroochydore Magistrates Court. Picture – file.

The court heard he yelled at the dog before kicking it in the ribs. His dog, a small cattle dog, yelped in pain and tried to get away.

Bennett then followed it onto the balcony, grabbed it by the neck, and threw it down the concrete stairway.

Neighbours reported hearing the animal yelp.

A picture of his injured dog was tendered in court.

“Picture says a lot…look at that body language…dog is terrified,” Mr McLaughlin said.

Bennett told police he was disciplining his pet for going to the bathroom inside.

Defence lawyer Liesel Rogan told the court Bennett had difficulties with alcohol abuse.

“This was his first time in custody…it’s been a detox for him,” she said.

The court heard Bennett suffered from multiple mental illnesses, had been medicated while imprisoned, used to work as a social worker, and that he was homeless for a time during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.

The injured dog was taken to the vet and was being cared for.

“Sounds like a sad story…the neighbour from hell…a drunk who ruins people’s lives,” Mr McLaughlin said.

“This is the fifth time you’ve been in court this year, two probation orders and a suspended sentence.

“The court is bending over backwards not to lock you up…you don’t kick a dog.”

The court was told Bennett blamed his actions on his grandmother dying earlier this year.

Bennett had his suspended sentence of six months activated, along with receiving two months of imprisonment for the public nuisance charges and two months for animal cruelty. His time in custody was counted as 18 days served and he was set to be released on parole Wednesday, November 29, with about five and a half months of parole left.

A conviction was recorded.