Accused animal killer charged with bashing family dog to death

A Kilsyth man is facing serious animal abuse charges after allegedly beating a tiny support dog to death with a metal pole. | Warning: Distressing content.

A distraught Kilsyth family is reeling after their beloved family pet was beaten to death with a metal pole after escaping from their yard.

Harrowing CCTV footage captures a man trapping two dogs in a driveway about 9.40am on December 3 before acquiring a metal pole from a garage.

The man is then seen repeatedly battering Marcus and Janine Wood’s dog, Millie, four times.

Millie died from her injuries before she was placed in a van and dumped at an unknown location.

A shocked Mr Wood said the footage was one of the most distressing things he and his wife Janine had ever seen.

“He puts chicken wire across the driveway so they couldn’t get out, goes to the garage, grabs an iron bar and in plain view of the cameras, he’s beaten her,” he said.

A man has been charged after allegedly beating Millie the dog to death in Kilsyth.

“He puts his foot on her head but he just keeps beating her.

“He drives off later with the dog in his van. We still don’t have her.”

The young family has been left emotionally gutted after losing their beloved family pet who was a support dog for their daughter.

“Millie was a support dog for our 10-year-old because my 10-year-old has got anxiety and autism. Millie would always lay with her,” he added.

“I was really emotional because she was my best mate. I’d have a bad day at work and I’d sit on the couch and she’d just come and put her head on your lap, she just knew.

“We’re devastated. I haven’t cried so much in all my life. It’s one thing losing an animal to old age or being hit by a car, but when it’s deliberately beaten to death, it’s just horrific.”

The Saturday Herald Sun can reveal Kilsyth man Mark Martinaj has been charged over Millie’s death.

Millie was Janine’s support dog for 10-years.

Police officers from Mooroolbark executed a warrant at Mr Martinaj’s home on December 5 where they placed the 39-year-old in handcuffs.

He was later charged with two counts of animal cruelty and one count of theft before he was granted bail.

Animal Justice Party MP Georgie Purcell said she was “lost of words” and called on the state government to increase the maximum sentences for convicted animal abusers.

“It’s not often that I am lost for words, but the horrific cruelty and sadism inflicted upon this small dog, Millie, by this man is absolutely sickening,” she said.

“If this happened in Queensland, he would face up to seven years imprisonment for a singular charge of aggravated cruelty.

“The maximum here in Victoria is two years imprisonment, and these sentences are almost never handed out.”

Millie was a loved part of the family.

She said the government had failed to renew the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act for 48 years, “allowing and enabling the suffering of animals in Victoria to go unaccounted for”.

Mr Wood said the man in the CCTV acted in a “cold” and “calculated” manner.

“He’s just really cold. We lost our family member at the hands of that monster,” he added.

“There was no emotion there, when he got arrested he just casually walked out, put his hands behind his back and climbed into the divisional van.

“We just want to put a voice out for Millie, we don’t want her to die in vain.”

Mr Martinaj is due to appear at Ringwood Magistrates’ Court in March.

Janine said the alleged attack was one of the most horrific things she’d seen. Picture: Facebook

Georgie Purcell calls for tougher animal cruelty laws

It’s not often that I am lost for words, but the horrific cruelty and sadism inflicted upon this small dog, Millie, by this man is absolutely sickening.

My heart goes out to the family and their golden retriever who also experienced this monstrous abuse.

They will spend the rest of their lives with this pain, fear and memory, while the offender under our current animal protection laws will likely only receive a slap on the wrist.

If this happened in Queensland, he would face up to seven years imprisonment for a singular charge of aggravated cruelty, let alone sixteen charges.

The maximum here in Victoria is two years imprisonment, and these sentences are almost never handed out.

In the past five years, there has been 406 charges under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, but none have resulted in imprisonment. Instead, the courts have previously placed the price of severe cruelty to a sheep as $49.25, $170 for a koala and a mere $37.50 per pig in fines.

I will be following along this case closely to see what price the courts place on the life of a beloved dog.

The government has failed to renew the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act for 48 years, allowing and enabling the suffering of animals in Victoria to go unaccounted for.

Perpetrators are emboldened to commit horrific acts of cruelty because our government places the lowest value on the lives of animals in Australia, and they know they will face no consequences.

There is no justice under our current laws for animals and their families.

The Allan Government must do better to protect animals and increase penalties in the upcoming and long-awaited new Animal Care and Protection Bill.

Had the government not delayed it for so long, we may have seen a different outcome for Millie.

—

Georgie Purcell

Animal Justice Party MP