Kon and Liudmila Petropoulos face costs of nearly $200,000, banned from cat ownership

A notorious Ballarat couple prosecuted for animal cruelty have copped huge fines and legal costs after unsuccessfully appealing earlier criminal convictions.

Kon Petropoulos and Liudmila Petropoulos leaving Ballarat court.

Two repeat animal cruelty offenders have dodged jail, but must pay nearly $200,000 and are forbidden from owning cats for 10 years following their drawn-out prosecution over dozens of charges.

The RSPCA prosecuted Kon and Liudmila Petropoulos in March 2020 for running an illegal domestic animal business, improperly confining ten cats, and more.

The pair were prohibited from conducting a domestic animal business for 18 months, were placed on an undertaking to be of good behaviour, and were fined.

Kon and Liudmila Petropoulos leaving Geelong Magistrates’ Court in March 2020. Photo: Peter Ristevski

In July 2020, the RSPCA executed two warrants at their property in Ballarat, seizing nine kittens and charging the pair with various cruelty offences including confinement causing unreasonable pain or suffering and failing to provide veterinary attention.

They were also charged with improperly selling animals and breaching their earlier ban.

The couple were found guilty of 48 charges of animal cruelty in May 2022, and fined $122,000 by the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court.

They were banned from keeping or selling any cats or kittens for 10 years.

A kitten seized from Kon and Liudmila Petropoulos. Photo: RSPCA

Another seized kitten. Photo: RSPCA

The couple appealed the decision in the County Court, where witnesses described purchasing kittens advertised on Gumtree from Mr Petropoulos, who sold the animals out of his car in public places using different pseudonyms.

In August this year, Mr and Mrs Petropoulos were found guilty of 47 charges under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and Domestic Animals Act.

They sought an adjournment of their sentencing, which prosecutors opposed, so they could finish getting a loan to pay for legal representation.

Judge Anne Hassan found their claims “completely inconsistent” but said she would have the couple assessed for a community correction order.

“There is still the potential that I will impose a period of custody that involves immediate custody — going to jail,” she said.

RSPCA Victoria chief inspector Michael Stagg outside Ballarat court.

On Friday, both Petropouloses were sentenced to two-year community correction orders and must do 200 hours of unpaid work.

They were banned from owning and being in charge of cats for a decade, and the RSPCA may monitor their compliance with court orders.

They were fined $25,000 each and must pay the RSPCA costs of more than $144,000.

Any cats in their care must be surrendered within two weeks.

RSPCA Victoria chief inspector Michael Stagg said the sentence would serve as a strong deterrent to those involved in illegal animal breeding, rearing, or selling.

“RSPCA is determined to stamp out these illegal businesses, and our message to anyone considering it is simple – it's not worth it," he said.

“I’m incredibly proud of the work our Inspectors have done in this case, and it’s very satisfying to see this outcome."

The RSPCA recommends pet purchasers be wary of buying an animal over the internet, particularly puppies or kittens advertised as six weeks old, without meeting it and its breeder first.