Beggars caught exploiting pets to earn money on Melbourne streets

BEGGARS have been caught exploiting animals to rake in hundreds of dollars a day from kind-hearted pedestrians in Melbourne’s CBD — to spend on drugs.

BEGGARS have been caught exploiting animals to rake in hundreds of dollars a day from kind-hearted pedestrians in Melbourne’s CBD — to spend on drugs.

A Melbourne City Council submission to a parliamentary inquiry has revealed that a homeless man claimed he earned $15,000 by using a dog and her litter of pups to beg, then spent the money he collected on heroin.

The council warned the number of cases was on the rise and there was no regulation to control the issue.

A Facebook post by a homeless man, seen by the Sunday Herald Sun, boasts of using animals to increase his donations.

Princess the silky terrier brightens up Dale’s life. Picture Jay Town.

“Sitting here ... with me sign saying homeless and dog bowl out to colect (sic) money doing this made $200 in my sleep the other night lol when i had the pups i made $15,000 in one f---ing week ... it all went on heroin with me and another couple of junkies,’’ he wrote on Facebook.

Several people have contacted the Sunday Herald Sun to report that animals were being used as props.

Melbourne City Council compliance officers are monitoring six people using animals while begging, including one cat owner who allows children to pat the cat in return for money.

“We believe that in most cases animals are genuine companions and we are sensitive to the precarious situation that people living on the street face,’’ a council spokesman said.

“As a council we support and promote responsible pet ownership. We do not believe using animals specifically for the purpose of begging is responsible pet ownership.”

Dale has defended homeless people having animals. Picture Jay Town.

Dog owners Dale and Loretta, 20, defended homeless people having animals, saying they brought their pet silky terrier, Princess, to Swanston St because she was part of their family.

“She is not for begging purposes, she comes everywhere,” they said.

“Sitting here day on end it makes you depressed but just taking her for a walk is good for our mental health.”

The couple said passers-by often gave them pet food and money helped pay for their dog’s health expenses.

RSPCA Victoria chief executive Liz Walker said: “We would encourage any owners experiencing financial hardship to seek discounted treatments for their animals to ensure they receive any necessary medical treatment and are desexed.’’

Lort Smith Animal Hospital chief executive David Herman said homeless people loved their animals and relied on charities for the animal’s care.

“It is not uncommon for homeless people to sacrifice their own health for their animal,” he said.

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