22 July 2025

Man in Griffith charged with animal cruelty towards drug detection dog

| By Oliver Jacques
Dog with a leash

Drug detection dog Trigger was on duty in Griffith on the weekend. Photo: Murrumbidgee Police District.

A man has been charged with hindering police and committing an act of animal cruelty against a drug detection dog at a licensed premises on Jondaryan Avenue.

Over the weekend, Murrumbidgee Police conducted an operation targeting patron behaviour in and around licensed premises with the assistance of ‘Trigger’ and his handler from the NSW Police Force Drug Dog Unit.

Several premises were inspected, and a number of persons searched with positive drug detections. A number of patrons were removed from premises due to their behaviour.

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At 11:47 pm on Saturday night (19 July), police arrived at the club on Jondaryan Avenue as part of their inspection rounds.

Officers approached a table in the main bar area, where a 62-year-old man was seated with three other patrons.

The man allegedly waved a condiment in the direction of Trigger. This caused an immediate reaction from the dog due to the discomfort.

Police will further allege these actions were done by the accused in an attempt to hinder police from conducting the drug detection dog activities.

The man was spoken with by police, when he allegedly again caused Trigger discomfort.

The 62-year-old was then stopped by police and removed from the premises.

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The incident was captured on police body-worn video and the venue’s CCTV footage.

The man was informed he would be receiving a court attendance notice for hindering police and committing an act of animal cruelty.

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