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Sahar Adatia and Jimmy Singh.

 

A 31-year-old man from Sydney has been charged with a series of offences including serious animal cruelty after allegedly breaking into a home in Edmondson Park in the city’s west and stabbing two French Bulldogs with a knife.

The incident is reported by NSW Police to have occurred on Saturday 19 September 2020 around 5:30pm when Rassim Hamdan broke into the property while the resident, a woman who is known to him, was home.

Upon entering the premises, it is alleged the pair engaged in a brief conversation in the loungeroom.

Shortly afterwards, Mr Hamdan proceeded to walk to the backyard where he found the woman’s two French Bulldogs.

The man allegedly then pulled out a knife from his pocket and stabbed both dogs.

He immediately left the property.

 

Mr Hamdan Arrested and Admitted for Mental Health Assessment the Following Week; Assaults Security Guards and Nurse at Hospital

Once Mr Hamdan had departed the home, the woman called police for assistance.

Officers from Liverpool City Police Area Command soon arrived at the scene where an investigation into the stabbing was commenced.

Around a week later on Sunday 27 September, Mr Hamdan was arrested at a home on Dunlop Street in Roselands.

He was immediately admitted to Bankstown Hospital for a mental health assessment.

However, upon arriving at the hospital, it is alleged he proceeded to assault two security guards and a nurse.

Mr Hamdan was then relocated to Liverpool Hospital where he underwent treatment.

On Friday 2 October, around 11:30am, the man was discharged from the hospital and into the custody of police.

Mr Hamdan was transported to Liverpool Police Station where he was charged with a string of offences, including two counts of torture, beat and seriously injure an animal, two counts of common assault, aggravated enter dwelling with intent, destroying and damaging property, and affray and assault occasioning actual bodily harm which are said to be related to an incident at a restaurant on Sussex Street in Surry Hills in October 2019.

It understood the French Bulldogs are steadily recovering from their injuries.

The dogs remain in a veterinary hospital under care.

 

RSPCA Animal Cruelty Cases Rise to Almost 150,000 Investigations – One Every 27 Seconds – in Recent Years

Australia is undoubtedly a nation of pet lovers, so much so that we do our utmost to give our furry friends the best life we can.

From taking our pets to get groomed, feeding them with gourmet snacks and even attending to their dental care needs, it’s clear that most of us well and truly know how to take care of our cherished companions.

Nevertheless, there are still some people out in the world who believe it is ok to engage in animal cruelty, and it may come as a shock to learn that in recent years, cases of animal mistreatment have increased.

According to the RSPCA, in 2016 for example, animal cruelty cases rose to almost 150,000 investigations, averaging at more than 400 a day.

More worryingly, figures released by the animal welfare charity also shows that calls to its 24-hour cruelty hotline increased by near 4%, averaging to one call every 27 seconds.

Dermot Murphy, assistant director of the RSPCA inspectorate, addressed the social issue, discussing the rise in animal cruelty figured.

He acknowledged that people were no longer willing to remain quiet about animal cruelty and were more open to sharing abuse images on social media, leading to more investigations – which was also likely represented by the increasing figures.

“People are increasingly likely to share images or footage on their social media accounts of animals they believe are not being cared for properly,” Mr Murphy said.

“Many will see material their friends have shared and then contact us about them.”

Mr Murphy added that people are now simply less willing to stand by and do nothing if they think an animal is suffering.

Click here for an outline on the law, penalties and defences to animal cruelty charges in NSW.

The NSW Crimes Act imposes up to 5-years jail to anyone found guilty of a serious animal cruelty offence, under section 530.

Section 5 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979 (NSW) is a lesser serious form of animal cruelty crime, attracting a maximum of 6-months jail or $5,500, or both.

Have a question? Our criminal lawyers Sydney based appear across all criminal courts. Get in touch with us today.

AUTHOR Criminal Defence Lawyers Australia

Criminal Defence Lawyers Australia are Leading Criminal Defence Lawyers, Delivering Exceptional Results in all Australian Courts.

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