After a 57-year-old St Albans woman pleaded guilty to breaching her animal ownership disqualification conditions at the Sunshine Magistrates Court late last year, RSPCA is reinforcing its stand against animal cruelty in the area.
According to the animal welfare charity, the incident has prompted a “timely reminder” for locals to act responsibly.
“While this case was resolved… it’s a timely reminder that animal cruelty won’t be tolerated,” RSPCA Victoria chief inspector Michelle Green said.
The woman had previously been found guilty of two counts of animal cruelty, including two charges of keeping an animal for fighting or luring purposes in 2021.
RSPCA Victoria inspectors attended a property in St Albans after receiving a tip-off and found 35 chickens, including seven hens.
While the animals were found to be in good condition, she was still disqualified from owning or being in charge of any roosters or more than five hens for ten years.
The woman agreed to surrender all 35 animals to RSPCA Victoria.
Magistrate Mykytowycz convicted and fined the woman, warning of higher penalties for additional breaches.
“If you [continue to] breach [the order] the penalties will get higher and higher,” she said.
Ms Green said the initial disqualification order was fair and needed to be adhered to.
“Disqualification orders in Victoria are designed to protect animals from further cruelty,” she said.
“Any breach of a disqualification order is a serious offence, and we take these incidents seriously and will take appropriate action.”
