William Roqica charged with animal cruelty after ‘throwing dog off high-rise balcony’, court told

Court documents said the dog died from ‘catastrophic internal haemorrhaging’, which police say is consistent with allegations it was tossed from a great height.

William Roqica, 34, has been charged with animal cruelty offences amid allegations he killed a dog by throwing it off a nine-storey balcony.

A man accused of “wantonly” killing a dog by throwing it off a high-rise building has been granted conditional bail by a Sydney court.

Police documents said William Roqica, 34, had been looking after the Staffordshire Bull Terrier for months following the death of his mother when police allege he inexplicably grabbed hold of the dog by the tail one evening in January and hurled it over the side of the ninth-storey balcony of his Redfern apartment.

Neighbours later told police they heard a whimper before the sound of a loud thud as the dog hit the bitumen below.

The court heard Roqica took the lift to the ground floor and headed to the car park where the dog lay dead.

It is alleged he kicked the dog’s body twice with his foot, as another neighbour called out “you did this you piece of s**t”.

Police were called to the scene and interviewed several witnesses.

The dog’s body was seized and examined by RSPCA veterinarians, who concluded that the dog had suffered “catastrophic internal haemorrhaging” as well as a disclosed tail.

Police will allege in court the injuries are consistent with reports of the dog being thrown, by the tail, from a height of approximately 26 metres, and hitting a hard pavement.

The court heard the incident came just months after Roqica’s alleged involvement in another disturbing act, in which he allegedly set fire to a public housing unit where his deceased mother used to live.

Court documents said Roqica’s mother lived at the Waterloo address up until her death in mid 2023.

William Roqica was granted bail during an appearance in the NSW Supreme Court (pictured) in Sydney.Picture: NCA NewsWire / Christian Gilles

Police allege Roqica applied to the NSW Department of Housing on September 13, 2023 to take over the lease on the unit, however his application was rejected.

Emergency services were called to a fire at the unit less than two weeks later, and just hours after CCTV footage showed Roqica at the home allegedly carrying a blue lighter and a cigarette.

Firefighters allegedly found the same items inside the scorched home, along with a bottle of methylated spirits.

The total damage to the home topped $100,000, police said.

The court heard Roqica was not apprehended until June this year, at which time he was charged with intentionally damaging property by fire, recklessly beat and kill an animal and committing an act of aggravated cruelty on an animal.

He has pleaded not guilty to all charges and will face separate hearings in January and February.

In seeking bail, Roqica told the court through his legal team that he would abide by strict conditions including living with a friend at Moruya, abiding by a night-time curfew and reporting to police daily.

His lawyer said Roqica had a history of drug abuse, which had affected his day-to-day behaviour.

Justice Jeremy Kirk agreed to release Roqica, despite admonishing his alleged crimes.

“The act of animal cruelty, if proven, was serious, wanton and disgraceful,” he said.

“That being said, it does appear to be an offence of a kind which might have been the result of a drug-addled state in the applicant.

“Nevertheless, were he to be found guilty of that charge, a term of imprisonment would be a real possibility.”

However, Justice Kirk noted Roqica had already spent months behind bars and was unlikely to receive additional jail time even if he was ultimately convicted of the charges.