Fines more likely for animal cruelty

JUST one in 25 offenders convicted of animal cruelty offences received a prison sentence, while the majority ended with fines of less than $2000, a Victorian-first review has revealed.

The analysis by the Sentencing Advisory Council reviewed cases of animal welfare and sentencing in the 10-year period between 2008 and December 2017.

It looked at data from 1115 cases in Victoria and 2960 charges of animal cruelty and found the most common offences were aggravated cruelty (739 cases) and neglect of treatment (719 cases).

Of this, 60 per cent of offenders received a fine for their actions, while a third of those charged appealed their case.

Alarmingly, though, within four years of being convicted almost one-third of offenders ended up back in court for further animal cruelty-related charges.

In 2016 and 2017, 35 cases were a result of family violence incidents relating to bail, intervention orders and causing intentional injury.

These cases had a higher rate of receiving serious sentences and imprisonment.

Council Chair Professor Arie Freiberg said that while animal cruelty was always concerning, it was positive to note intentional cruelty wasn’t as common.

“One of the most important findings in this research is that most animal cruelty in Victoria is not the kind of sensational cruelty that generates much news, but rather involves people who have, for whatever reason, not provided adequate food, drink or veterinary treatment for their animals,” Mr Freiberg said.

The review also found men to be the highest offenders (75 per cent).