Distressing sight proves that Australia has a real problem

Concerning images of a dog believed to be living on a balcony have gone viral, with locals saying they’ve never seen it step foot inside.

Distressing footage has emerged of yet another dog believed to be living on an exposed balcony, with neighbours claiming they have never seen the pet step foot inside the apartment.

In images shared with news.com.au and on Facebook page Australians Against Animal Abuse, a dog is seen lying on bare concrete and surrounded by faeces on a balcony in Melbourne’s outer suburbs.

The photos, which neighbours claim to have taken over the course of a year, show the suspected bulldog alternating between a small kennel and a tile of concrete that is littered with what appears to be dog poo.

At one end of the double-storey balcony is a raised metal and weather-resistant dog bed, and on the other side is a kennel with a dirty blanket crumpled on the floor outside of it.

The dog can be seen sitting in the dark outside. Picture: Supplied

Neighbours claim the dark streak across the wall is from the dog's constant pacing. Picture: Supplied

MORE: Most popular dog breeds shift as housing shrinks

In other images, the dog can be seen sitting at the door in the dark while watching its owners.

A neighbour, who preferred not be named, said she has witnessed the dog outside in rain, hail or shine and “day and night.”

“We have never seen the dog be pet or taken inside,” she told news.com.au.

The neighbour, a dog owner herself, says it is heartbreaking to witness the dog outside in the harsh Melbourne weather.

The city is known for its long and icy winters and just last month shivered through its coldest morning of the year at 1.6 degrees celsius.

Due to their lack of a dense undercoat and their brachycephalic anatomy, bulldogs are often unable to regulate their body temperature in warm and cold weather.

In winter, they require a jacket and it is advised they are kept inside.

In summer, it is recommended they are also kept inside and avoid exposure to sunlight for too long.

The dog can be seen surrounded by filth. Picture: Supplied

A woman who recently left the building after two years, said it was “heartbreaking to see it was still happening.”

“I lived in the same complex from early 2023 to 2025 and the exact same thing was happening.

“No toys, barely any blankets (no matter the weather). It was left out there in rain, hail, freezing and hot.”

The former resident claims there was no interaction between the pet and its owners, and that it was not taken on walks.

“You can see the walls – that’s where it continually walks and drags itself across the wall,” they said, referencing the horizontal brown marks across the balcony.

Locals also claim to have reached out to RSPCA but were told there was “nothing that could be done as the dog had access to food, water and shelter.”

Victoria’s Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 (POCTA) allows RSPCA inspectors to enter premises and seize animals only on reasonable grounds.

Bulldogs are not able to withstand hot or cold temperatures. Picture: Supplied

It can be seen huddled up in a simple kennel. Picture: Supplied

These include: baiting or using the animals as lures, depriving the animal of food and water, or if the animal is in an entanglement causing pain or suffering.

A spokesperson for RSPCA told news.com.au: “RSPCA Victoria Inspectors are investigating a report of alleged animal cruelty in the Hawthorn area and no further information is available at this time.”

While bulldogs are considered medium maintenance dogs, they still require at least 30 minutes to an hour of exercise each day, including play and mental stimulation.

With the right treatment, they can live up to 10-12 years old.

PETA Asia Senior Vice President Jason Baker, told news.com.au that the situation is utterly “heartbreaking.”

“Our dogs rely on us for everything — from food and shelter to exercise and affection — and whoever relegated this dog to a barren balcony, with nothing to do but lie on concrete surrounded by its own waste and gaze longingly indoors, has utterly betrayed this dog’s trust. “PETA is calling on the authorities to step in and remove this dog, and we’ll gladly assist in finding it a loving home where they’ll receive the care it needs and deserves.”

Earlier this year, news.com.au broke news of a corgi living on a balcony in Melbourne city.

He has since found a loving home.

The complex where the bulldog lives, boasts a rooftop pool and a “rich and graceful aesthetic”, according to the website.

It features 61 apartments, with the median price sitting around $800,000 to over a million per unit.

A spokesperson for the City of Boroondara told news.com.au they had “recieved several complaints about this address over this week.”

“We are working to engage the RSPCA to ensure the welfare of the dog,” they said.

They noted that investigations into the allegations were at an early stage and they are unable to comment further.

Earlier this year, news.com.au broke the news of a young corgi that had been living on a 1.5 metre balcony, with little shelter from the elements.

The dog, who was originally named Trump, was filmed by a neighbour over three months, anxiously pacing and whining on the balcony.

The corgi, whose new name is Harry, has since been adopted Melbourne couple Arron and Karen and their other corgi Maya.

Originally published as Distressing sight proves that Australia has a real problem