Dubbo woman Sari May Mcinnes pleads guilty to kicking puppy at Ballina in northern NSW

A so-called “animal-lover” has faced a North Coast court for cruelty after she was filmed kicking a puppy and pulling it off its feet during a walk. The dog was “yelping” and “whimpering”.

Sari May Mcinnes pleaded guilty to animal cruelty when she faced Ballina Local Court. Picture: Facebook

A Dubbo woman has faced court after she was filmed kicking and pulling a defenceless puppy from its feet during a walk at Ballina in northern NSW.

Sari May Mcinnes, 21, pleaded guilty at Ballina Local Court on Friday to committing an act of cruelty on an animal – four-month-old staffy pup Penny.

Mcinnes was hard to miss, arriving at the court with blue dreadlocks, alongside a support worker.

She was walking the staffordshire terrier puppy named Penny on a leash on Bangalow Rd, Ballina about 8am on April 24 last year, police state in court documents.

Penny’s owners lived with Mcinnes at Ballina and she would walk the pooch alongside her own dog while they were not home.

A witness heard the sound of a dog in distress and spotted Penny “whimpering” and “yelping”, police state.

The puppy was heard making distressed noises. Picture: File

Mcinnes was screaming into a phone while walking and Penny was trying to pull away.

Police state that as the leash extended Mcinnes “pulled it harshly with such force the puppy’s back legs went airborne”.

While in the air, “Mcinnes kicked it (Penny) so it was in front of her again,” police state.

The witness filmed Mcinnes and he screamed at her to stop, worried she was going to kill the dog.

“Stop, stop, you’re going to kill it,” the bystander yelled.

“This (video) is going to the cops. You’re a f--king scumbag. Leave the dog alone. Show some respect.

“If you kick it again the cops will be coming. You’re on film mate.”

Mcinnes picked up the puppy by the scruff of the neck, took her into her arms and walked off.

A witness filmed Mcinnes harming the puppy. Picture: File

Another witness also reported the cruelty inflicted on Penny.

The first witness was contacted by police after he sent the video to local Instagram page @balna.nsw, which posted the video publicly.

The caption read: “If anyone’s seen this deads--t around town, call the police and let them know where she is. She was kicking the s--t out of this puppy, picking it up by the neck … scumbag of all scumbags.”

The video is not longer visible on the social media platform.

Police recognised Mcinnes and went to her house. She wasn’t there, but Penny was, and rangers seized the pet to keep her safe.

Officers returned when Mcinnes was home and she became “extremely hostile and aggressive” and “denied everything”, police state.

Mcinnes was aggressive towards police. Picture: File

Thankfully, Penny suffered no lasting injuries and was returned to her owners.

Defence lawyer Luke Harrison said Mcinnes suffered poor mental health and did not fully understand the consequences of her actions.

“She was having an argument with her former boyfriend on the phone, there was long-term domestic violence in the relationship,” the court was told.

Mr Harrison said Mcinnes, who had a support carer, was “embarrassed” by her offending – the court heard she was “an animal-lover”.

The lawyer argued Mcinnes should be sentenced to a community release order without proceeding to conviction.

The outside of Ballina Court House. Picture: Savannah Pocock

However, Magistrate Karen Stafford said animal cruelty was a serious issue and offending would have caused “great alarm” to small pet.

“Animals are living beings with their own feelings as well. When they are companions to us they must be protected,” she said.

“Like a human baby, puppies are very vulnerable because they don’t have the ability to look after themselves when a human is being aggressive towards them.”

Ms Stafford said Mcinnes was not able to control her temper when upset.

But she did tell the court the offending was not as objectively serious as other cases of cruelty.

“I accept you (Mcinnes) have suffered from childhood trauma and cognitive impairment which affects your ability to react to things,” Ms Stafford said.

She said Mcinnes had limited criminal history.

Mcinnes avoided any time behind bars and was sentenced to a 12-month community release order. A conviction was recorded.