Sydney Man Leaves Maggot-Infested Dog to Starve. Animal Cruelty on the Rise in AU

A miniature Schnauzer was left off starving for at least three weeks by its owner because it has cancer and was infested with maggots. The owner, identified as Roy Kam Hung Liu, has been banned from owning pets.

The dog was discovered by an RSPCA Inspector lying on a bed in the front driveway in a property in Beecroft in Northern Sydney.

The AAP reported that the pooch's ribs, hips and spinal bones can be easily felt through her skin, with maggots crawling around her vulva.

Moreover, a large mass, which was examined to be a tumour, was found under her stomach. She also had severe dental disease and cataracts in both eyes.

David Oshanessy, Chief Inspector of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, said that the dog had such multitude problems that the only way to end its suffering was euthanasia.

On Thursday, Liu was convicted at Hornsby Local Court and was fined with $5,500. He was also prohibited from owning animals for five years.

The RSCPA responded to 12, 761 complaints of animal cruelty in 2012. About 385 charges were laid that lead to 98 prosecutions.

In July, a woman from Hamilton Hill was also banned from owning animals for five years after she left her dogs to starve for two days. Like Liu, Denise Hancock was found guilty by the Fremantle Magistrates Court of animal cruelty and was fined $2000.

Another worse dog abuse also happened in April when the 21-year-old Hally Jade James French bashed a dog with a pole and dangled it on a clothesline.

Because of the numerous animal abuse cases being reported, Global Animal began questioning the government's mandate on animal abuse.

Global Animal wrote: "Although the country’s jail sentences for aggravated cruelty towards animals range from 2 to 5 years, the full penalties are rarely invoked, with some abusers getting off without serving any jail time at all."

The online news magazine for pet lovers and animal lovers suggested that there should be "tougher penalties for animal abusers" to "diminish the number of severe abuse cases" in Australia.