Stipo Cicak charged with kicking dog at CFMEU protest claims self-defence

A man accused of animal cruelty after kicking a dog at a vaccine mandate protest has told a court he did so in self-defence.

An animal behavioural expert will be called to testify that a dog appeared scared and withdrawn after it was kicked by a protester outside the CFMEU headquarters last year.

Stipo Cicak has admitted he kicked the dog on September 20 during a vaccine mandate protest in the city, but will argue he did so in self-defence as he fights allegations of animal cruelty.

Prosecutors for the RSPCA on Thursday told the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court a vet with specialised training in animal behaviour will give evidence the “civilian dog” showed signs of fear and sought reassurance from its owner after it was kicked by Mr Cicak.

Prosecutor Natalie Perera said the expert witness would also testify the dog was on a lead, was not showing any signs of aggression towards Mr Cicak and was not even facing him when it was struck.

The evidence will be based on a one-minute video clip filmed by Channel 7 journalist, Paul Dowsley, who will also be called as an eyewitness, the court heard.

In the footage, which was shared widely on social media, Mr Cicak can be seen confronting the dog’s owner before kicking the canine, lifting the animal into the air.

The footage was shared widely on social media.

The dog then retreats behind its owner.

Magistrate Peter Reardon questioned the need for the specialist vet to explain the dog’s behaviour.

“Can’t any dog owner say that?” Mr Reardon asked.

“I thought a picture was worth a thousand words,” he said.

Ms Perera said the video in question was short and the specialist was required to explain “frame by frame what is happening to the dog”.

Samir Banga, for Mr Cicak, said his client will fight the single charge of committing an act of cruelty on an animal.

The court heard the dog, a pitbull, was not injured and its owner had declined to provide a statement or give evidence.

Mr Banga said the context of the clip and what happened just before the kick, will be examined at a one-day contested hearing later this year.

The matter will return to court on October 27.