Mario Ruzic: Alleged Penrith trainee guide dog kicker charged

Spot the prospective guide dog may have to quit his training as he is too traumatised after a man allegedly kicked his face ‘like a football’, smashing his teeth together.

A man has refused to appear in court after he allegedly kicked a rookie guide dog in the mouth as it was being trained in western Sydney.

Sydney man Mario Ruzic, 53, was charged with animal cruelty over the shocking alleged incident in Penrith on Thursday.

Police allege Ruzic kicked the black labrador named Spot in the jaw as it was being guided by a trainer on High St just before 10am.

Mario Ruzic is accused of kicking a guide dog in training in Penrith on Thursday. Picture: Generic

According to police documents, Ruzic yelled expletives at the dog and its trainer as they navigated pedestrians before he allegedly “kicked (Spot) in his jaw in the motion of kicking a ball.”

Police allege Ruzic kicked the young dog with such force, the trainer heard Spot’s teeth being smashed together.

Spot and the trainer took refuge in a nearby shop before calling police.

The dog was then taken to a vet, but did not suffer serious injuries.

Ruzic was arrested and charged at Penrith Police Station. Picture: Richard Dobson

Police documents revealed Spot may not be able to continue with his training due to the traumatic nature of the alleged incident, with guide dogs costing up to $50,000 to train.

Ruzic refused to appear at Parramatta Local Court on Friday, with the court hearing he had been aggressive with corrections staff and told them to “get f***ed”.

The court also heard Ruzic did not have a record of any mental health issues.

He was refused bail to face Penrith Local Court next week.