A couple facing animal cruelty charges must pay tens of thousands of dollars to the RSPCA or risk losing their dogs while their court case proceeds.
Wendouree dog breeders Fiona McCoy and Daniel Murphy are facing 40 criminal charges for alleged offences under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.
However, a court has ordered they must reimburse the RSPCA more than $20,000 per month for the ongoing care of the dogs in the meantime.
The pair have 66 dogs currently in the care of the RSPCA after they were seized in April, 2016.
At the cost of $10.38 per dog per day, caring for the dogs costs a total of $20,552 for the RSPCA.
McCoy and Murphy must make their first payment on August 1.
If no payment is received the dogs can be re-housed, sold, retained or transferred by RSPCA Victoria.
The pair will front court again on August 29, when their criminal charges hearing will continue.
