Prosecutors will appeal for a tougher sentence against a woman whose neglect saw her maggot-infested dog put down.
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The office of the Director of Public Prosecutions has confirmed it will argue the sentence – a small fine and no restrictions on pet ownership – was "manifestly inadequate".
Concerns were first raised when one of the woman's dogs, "Lucky", was taken to Tuggeranong vets by her son-in-law in November.
The animal was in a terrible state of neglect. Maggots were found in and on its body, and had eaten some of its skin away.
Lucky was extremely skinny, had a matted coat, dental disease, and a build-up of scar tissue on the eye, causing loss of vision. The dog required euthanisation immediately.
Another dog, "Rocky", was found at her home in a similar state of neglect, but has recovered with the help of the RSPCA.
Annette Banks, 49, was charged and brought before the ACT Magistrates Court. She was fined $483, including court costs and compensation, but faced no restrictions on future pet ownership.
The court had heard she was seriously sick at the time, and that the flystrike had come on fast, meaning she couldn't get her dog to the vet.
It heard the loss of her dogs had devastated Banks, who described them as being like her children.
The sentence frustrated the RSPCA, who have since called on the courts to better match their punishments to the crime, and to community expectations.
It published a petition calling for a tougher approach, which has attracted more than 3800 signatures in 48 hours.
The RSPCA issued a statement late on Friday, saying it had heard the DPP was likely to appeal the sentence to the ACT Supreme Court. The DPP later confirmed its intention to appeal.
Chief executive officer said Tammy Ven Dange thanked the community for their support and described the response to the petition as "incredible".
"We know we are not done yet and still need more names if we want this to be a sustainable change towards the sentencing of animal cruelty crimes," she said.
According to court documents, the owner was asked about the open sores on Lucky's body. She is said to have replied:
"I don't know, I didn't even realise they were there."
The matter will appear in the ACT Supreme Court at a later date.
