Man who kicked leashed pitbull at protest found guilty of animal cruelty

A man who lashed out at a dog in an “outrageous” attack during a lockdown protest has been found guilty after claiming he was acting in self-defence.

A protester who kicked a dog during a violent rally outside CFMEU headquarters last year has been found guilty of animal cruelty.

Stipo Cicak, 42, fronted the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Thursday after pleading not guilty to the one charge on the grounds he was acting in self-defence.

The 42-year-old was charged in October last year after the incident was filmed by shocked witnesses and the disturbing footage handed over to RSPCA Victoria.

The one-minute video shows Cicak lunge at the dog’s owner before kicking the leashed pitbull at the protest on Elizabeth St on September 20, 2021.

Stipo Cicak was filmed kicking a dog outside the CFMEU headquarters in Melbourne.

Cicak faced the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court in March, where he admitted he kicked the dog but claimed he did so in self-defence.

But Magistrate Peter Reardon on Thursday found the kick was delivered with force, despite not injuring the dog, and was “unprovoked”.

Mr Reardon, who found Cicak guilty of the charge, said the dog appeared fearful in the video while the 42-year-old appeared angry and aggressive.

RSPCA Victoria chief inspector Michael Stagg said the case sends a “powerful message” to the community that animal cruelty will not be tolerated.

“Many people witnessed the unprovoked attack on a dog, a deliberate act of cruelty, and were outraged by what they saw, so we are very pleased that the court has found the offender guilty today,” Mr Stagg said.

“Cruelty to animals has no place in our civilised society.

“Animals cannot speak for themselves, so RSPCA Victoria’s Inspectorate works hard each and every day to investigate and prosecute people who are cruel to animals to ensure that they are held to account.”

Cicak will be sentenced on November 29.