Sandra Vella, Ashley Marmara banned from owning pets after 'sickening' abuse

A cat found wandering the streets in Melbourne's west had to be put down because of the “hopelessness of his condition” with parts of his upper left eyelids and most of his nose "completely eroded". WARNING: Disturbing pictures.

A mother and daughter from Melbourne's west have been banned from owning animals for the next decade after their pet cat, Waffles, was found wandering the streets of Melbourne with cancer "eating away" at its face.

Sandra "Angel" Vella, 52, and Ashley Mamara, 29, were charged with animal abuse by the RSPCA in October 2020 after their pet cat was impounded by Brimbank City officers as a stray with “bloodied open wounds” to the left side of its face.

The animal was taken to be assessed by a vet who diagnosed Waffles with advanced squamous cell carcinoma, a form of cancer, which had caused severe damage to his face.

The pair had adopted the white shorthair cat when Mamara found a stray kitten alone in St Albans 11 years ago.

On Thursday, Mamara returned to the Sunshine Magistrates' Court pleading guilty to two charges of committing an act of cruelty to an animal and failing to comply with a notice issued by the RSPCA.

RSPCA prosecutor Natalie Perera told the court a vet examination by Dr Rebecca Falconer found the cat was in a “great deal of pain” and the suffering “would have been obvious to a layperson”.

“Dr Falconer prepared a report stating the severity of the cat’s condition was immediately apparent and that parts of his upper left eyelids and most of his nose were completely eroded away,” she said.

The cat was initially returned to Vella in March, with a notice requiring veterinary treatment and pain relief be provided, but a follow up visit in April found no evidence of treatment. 

Waffles was found again wandering the streets on May 4 and was euthanised by the RSPCA due to the “hopelessness of his condition”, according to Ms Perera.

Sandra Vella and Ashley Mamara have been convicted of animal abuse after their pet cat was found with cancer “eating away” at its face.

Defence lawyer, Ben McGrath, who was representing the pair pro bono, told the court the women loved the cat "dearly" and had done their best to provide a good life for Waffles.

He provided evidence to the court the pair had taken Waffles to vets previously between 2017 and 2019.

"The fact it was returned to m client potentially put them in a situation where there was nothing they could do," he said. 

“She did have great affection for this animal and now realises she should have made more of an effort to treat his condition. They were clearly susceptible to not being able to care for the animal when it reached this level of severity.”

Vella was sentenced in October last year to an 18 month community corrections order with 200 hours of community service on the same charges by magistrate Jennifer Grubissa.

“Hopefully you’re clear that what happened to that animal should never happen to any animal,” Ms Grubissa told her.

“The animal was diagnosed by another agency which gave clear instructions on what she should have done for a supposedly beloved pet.”

In court on Thursday, Magistrate Greg Robinson warned Mamara imprisonment for this type of offending was a possibility. 

"It's really quite sickening to see the injuries this cat suffered in modern Australia," he said. 

"It really is quite sad that this animal was subjected to you and your mother. I find it difficult to comprehend how someone would stand by and watch this injury in a family pet."

The food production worker was fined $4000 and ordered to pay vet costs of $910.48.

Both women were banned from owning new animals for the next decade - the maximum time the court could impose - and the RSPCA was given power to attend their homes to ensure compliance.

"I should warn you if you come back to court on similar charges I can't see how you wouldn't be given a term of imprisonment," Mr Robinson said. 

“This experience has put me off animals, I don’t intend to get any more,” Vella said.

“I’ve learnt the lesson. I completely agree.”

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