Melton men guilty of live baiting after setting dogs on domesticated rabbits
Three Melton men allowed their dogs to hunt and kill domestic rabbits in a sickening case of animal cruelty slammed as “outrageous” and “offensive”.
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Three Melton men allowed their dogs to hunt and kill domestic rabbits in a sickening case of animal cruelty slammed as “outrageous” and “offensive”.
An RSPCA investigation into live baiting was first opened after the organisation received a report about two dogs attacking a pair of live domesticated rabbits.
The report included footage of two dogs chasing, attacking, and killing rabbits that a 19-year-old, 20-year-old, and 22-year old bought specifically to be hunted.
The RSPCA said that at one point during the incident, an injured rabbit was almost allowed to escape, but the dogs were encouraged to attack it again.
When the men appeared separately at court, magistrates described the offending as “outrageous”, “offensive”, and “truly awful”.
RSPCA Victoria chief inspector Michael Stagg said the case was a shocking example of deliberate cruelty.
“No animal deserves to suffer like this, but unfortunately these cases still occur in Victoria,” he said.
“These dogs were trained for the specific purpose of hunting and killing live domestic animals with no regard for the overwhelming pain, suffering, and distress these animals experienced.”
The youngest man was put on an 18-month community correction order involving 100 hours of unpaid community work.
He was disqualified from owning any animal for 18 months.
The 20-year-old was disqualified from owning an animal for five years, was fined $1000 with a reduction due to time served, and the ownership of his dog was transferred to the RSPCA.
The third man received a six-month good behaviour bond without conviction and was fined $500.
Reports can be made to RSPCA Victoria online or at 03 9224 2222.
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