Drage Sarkovski convicted of animal cruelty in Shepparton Magistrates’ Court

A Pyalong auto technician will learn his fate in May after his “unforgivable” neglect left one of his dogs with a cancerous tumour.

Pyalong man Drage Sarkovski has been convicted of animal cruelty.

A Pyalong auto technician who owns 21 dogs will learn his fate next month after being convicted of charges relating to animal cruelty.

Drage Sarkovski fronted the Shepparton Magistrates’ Court for a hearing on April 22.

One of his dogs, Kara, suffered a cancerous tumour on her toe as a result of Sarkovski’s neglect.

Footage played to the court showed a number of kennels and dogs on a property, with some dogs locked in cages, barking and jumping on the gate meshing.

The video, which went for more than 20 minutes, showed RSPCA inspectors roaming the property.

Sarkovski, who was representing himself, told the court his dogs were under good care despite not washing them unless it was hot.

“I don’t wash them, but they don’t have fleas on them”, he said.

Sarkovski believes his dogs had been well looked after.

The prosecution hope that Sarkovski will be disqualified from owning dogs for up to 10 years.

Magistrate David Faram told Sarkovkski “the injures of which Kara suffered were obvious, and should have been obvious to you”.

Mr Faram said that Sarkovski’s inability to take Kara to the vet was “unforgivable”.

Mr Faram said he would likely place Sarkovski on a community corrections order.

RSPCA inspectors will attend Sarkovski’s property before his next court date to ensure it is suitable for his dogs to still be living there.

Mr Faram adjourned the matter until May 9.