Yunhao (Harvey) Yang was found guilty over an incident caught on CCTV. Image: Screenshot.
CONTENT WARNING: This story refers to animal cruelty and contains video that might be distressing.
A Canberra man has been found guilty of animal cruelty in an act described as “truly appalling” by animal advocates.
Yunhao (Harvey) Yang, 28, was recently found guilty in the ACT Magistrates Court of animal cruelty.
As of this year, he was living in a Civic apartment with CCTV coverage of its foyer.
According to court documents, CCTV footage captured him returning home at about 11 pm on 3 April with a dog – a six-month-old miniature poodle named Twenty – on a leash.
He would then lift the dog off the ground using the leash and swing the dog towards a concrete wall.
“This led to the dog falling to the ground. The defendant then stomped and kicked the dog,” the documents state.
On 1 April, the RSPCA received an email containing an allegation relating to the incident.
Two days later, on 3 April, an RSPCA inspector contacted the apartment complex’s building manager.
“[The building manager] was aware of the incident, having viewed the footage and confirmed the victim’s details.”
He provided a statement and a copy of the CCTV recording to the RSPCA.
The documents also state that the dog’s owner took the animal to a nearby vet six days after the incident for an examination.
“The Northside Veterinary Centre reported that Twenty was in good overall health and in adequate body condition for a growing dog.”
The dog’s owner was aware of the incident when contacted by the inspector.
RSPCA ACT released a statement following Yang’s conviction. RSPCA CEO Michelle Robertson described the video as confronting.
“It’s truly appalling that a person could act so viciously towards a little vulnerable animal,” she said.
“I thank the person who made the report to us and also commend our team who did the hard work to gather the evidence to get this conviction.
“We encourage anyone who witnesses animal cruelty to report it. Our inspectors look into every single report we receive, and with detailed information, we can achieve better results for animals.”
She also urged people to come forward with animal welfare concerns, even though not all reports would result in a prosecution or a conviction.
“Every report, however, does provide a potential opportunity to improve the circumstances for an animal as it enables our inspectors to engage in dialogue with carers and owners, to inform them about appropriate animal care obligations, to issue verbal warnings where necessary and conduct follow ups, or even to support pet owners who are experiencing hardship and therefore cannot provide the care they want to provide.
“It is our community as a whole that helps us to achieve good outcomes for animals.”
For a charge of animal cruelty, Yang was handed an 18-month Good Behaviour Order, which included the conditions that he attend mental health appointments and any other programs as directed.
The RSPCA also said he was banned from owning or caring for an animal for two years.
If this story has raised any issues for you, you can call Lifeline’s 24-hour crisis support line on 13 11 14. In an emergency, call Triple Zero.
Good grief. They are demolishing the entire city. How sad is this😡😡😡 View