Waterfront community ‘heartbroken' over balcony sight
In Wentworth Point, locals say they've been left 'heartbroken' by the sight of a small dog seen alone on an exposed concrete balcony for prolonged periods, with no visible bedding, toys or kennel.
Neighbours have been taking turns monitoring the dog in recent weeks, and footage they have captured shows the dog out on the balcony at various times of day and night, with the animal whimpering in one clip.
Locals said the dog appeared to have been spending nights inside the apartment since one neighbour confronted the owner on the street this week, but they remain concerned.
'We're feeling much better about the intervention but it only occurred due to community pressure and action. As this situation with the dog being left out all night has been occurring for months and there was no previous change, I think it would be understandable that concerned community members would have reservations about repeated behaviour,' said one local on a community Facebook page.
Speaking to news.com.au, local Shiv said residents 'can no longer sit by and witness this'.
'For weeks, we have observed the dog's behaviour … from frequent barking to prolonged howling, to now barely making a sound and often lying curled up on the cold concrete,' she said.
Residents claim the dog has been regularly seen scratching at the door and crying on the balcony of the luxury apartment complex, where rent costs upwards of $1500 a week.
'We've taken every possible step to address the situation. We've attempted to make numerous reports with the RSPCA and have been in contact with the Animal Welfare League,' said Shiv.
However, a spokesperson for the building's management told news.com.au they were aware of concerns, and that they had co-operated with authorities.
'We take animal welfare and community concerns seriously and are aware of a local Facebook post regarding a dog sighted on a balcony,' they said in a statement.
'While we understand the community's concerns, we wish to clarify that there is currently no evidence of cruelty or neglect involving the dog in question. We have responded transparently and cooperatively to inquiries from Animal Welfare NSW and remain committed to supporting any further investigations in line with legislative requirements.
'Our on-site management team has conducted visual welfare checks, and the dog appeared to be in good condition when observed.'
Management said it was 'monitoring the situation closely' and would take further steps if required.
Another neighbour, Lyndal, told news.com.au that she walks her dog around 5am, often hearing crying and whining from the apartment balcony, after the dog was left out at night.
'I didn't think too much of it at first, but as more people began to notice, it clicked to me that the dog must be there overnight,' she said.
Lyndal said concerned locals began taking turns to check on the dog at different times of the night, and claimed the dog had been seen on the balcony at all hours of the night.
'I haven't witnessed one interaction between the owner and the dog. It just sits outside in the freezing cold,' she said.
Tensions boiled over this week when a member of the community confronted the owner from the street below, a move that other residents have described as 'unhelpful'.
Since then, neighbours claim the dog has been moved inside.
'It is deeply upsetting,' said Shiv.
'We aren't wanting to publicly shame the owners or have the dog forcibly removed from their care. Many of us have offered support such as kennels, bedding, dog walking, or pet sitting. But no one is taking us up on these offers. Unfortunately, these offers have been met with no response from the owners.'
A spokesperson for the City of Parramatta Council told news.com.au: 'With animal welfare matters of this nature, Council encourages concerned residents to contact building management or the appropriate animal welfare organisation such as the RSPCA.'
RSPCA declined to comment but wrote in an email to news.com.au that, as a general proposition, they take every report of animal abuse seriously.
NSW's Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979 states that 'a person in charge of an animal shall not fail to provide the animal with food, drink or shelter, or any of them.'
Individuals that breach this are subject to a maximum 150 penalty units or imprisonment for six months, or both.
news.com.au attempted to contact the dog owner for comment.
The incident comes after
A concerned neighbour filmed the dog over a period of months, sparking nationwide outrage over the heartbreaking scene.
Harry the corgi, who was previously known as Trump, was surrendered by his owner to Melbourne city council after both parties agreed it was the right decision.
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