Patipan Tiangbangloung, 65, has been convicted of animal cruelty after his 18-year-old poodle was found in distressing condition, covered in bleeding tumours and untreated ulcers.
Timeline of Neglect
The case surfaced in December when the RSPCA received a report about a wounded dog near a Dee Why restaurant. Investigators later found Giffy, a miniature poodle, at the home of 65-year-old Patipan Tiangbangloung, a local restaurateur. Giffy had bandages on his eye and body, with visible tumours and ulcers.
Veterinarians determined that Giffy was suffering from multiple infected and ulcerated masses, some of which were cancerous. The court heard these growths had been present for approximately three months, leaving the dog in prolonged pain and discomfort.
Owner’s Explanation and Court Response
Tiangbangloung admitted to RSPCA he hadn’t taken Giffy to a vet since 2016, citing financial struggles and Buddhist beliefs against euthanasia. While the magistrate acknowledged he cared for the dog, they ruled the lack of treatment was serious neglect.
Magistrate Reiss stated the condition of the dog would have been obviously painful and distressing, and that it should have been clear to the owner that medical care was urgently needed.
Outcome and Penalty
Giffy was humanely euthanised after being seized by the RSPCA due to the extent of his suffering. Tiangbangloung was fined $5,000 and ordered to pay $495 in veterinary costs. The court did not record a conviction.
Animal welfare groups expressed frustration over the leniency of the sentence, with some members of the public calling for stricter penalties in cases involving prolonged animal suffering.
Local Reaction
Dee Why residents voiced concern, stressing the need for responsible pet ownership and affordable vet care. Many online expressed sadness over Giffy’s condition and questioned how it was allowed to go on so long.
While Tiangbangloung remains active in the area, some locals are calling for more public awareness around animal welfare responsibilities, especially for elderly or chronically ill pets.
Published 7-April-2025