On Sunday 1 March 2026, Maya, a four-year-old staffie was brutally kicked twice in the head by a stranger in the car park of the Bunnings Warehouse in Parafield, Adelaide while she was safely tethered in the back of a ute in her kennel with her water and biscuits as she was going to the park for some playtime after the Bunnings drive. This shocking act of violence was captured on dashcam and shared publicly, sparking widespread outrage. 

The footage clearly shows the man deliberately approaching Maya and striking her twice in the head, even though she was restrained and posed no threat. She was only giving a small bark— a normal, harmless reaction for a dog in that situation. This man was parked in a completely different parking bay area and had no reason to approach the side of the vehicle after pushing his trolley away in the car park. 

South Australia Police arrested a 48-year-old man Nathan Bradwell from Smithfield, SA in connection with the incident, and he has been charged with ill-treatment of an animal. 

He is due to appear in the Elizabeth Magistrates Court on 14 April 2026. Tuesday 10:00am

(Court adjourned so the assaliant can get legal representation. The new court date is now  11/05  10:00am Elizabeth Magistrates Court)

While this arrest is a step in the right direction and SAPOL acted very fast and did a great job our justice system too often fails to deliver consequences that match the severity of animal cruelty, leaving victims without real justice and doing little to deter future violence.

This petition calls on:

The Director of Public Prosecutions to actively pursue the strongest possible charges and penalties in this case.

South Australian lawmakers to ensure that animal cruelty laws reflect community expectations for accountability and deterrence.

Safer protections for pets and assistance animals in public spaces.

Animals cannot speak for themselves — we must be their voice. Maya luckily took this unprovoked attack well but no animal should ever be harmed simply for existing. Please sign to stand for justice, animal welfare, and meaningful consequences for cruelty.

Maya's vet visit concluded

1. Mild left-sided traumatic periocular inflammation/scleritis.

2. Likely ventral mandibular furunculosis, very possibly exacerbated by trauma.

3: Minor oral trauma to incisors and canines of upper arcades

Short term anti-inflammatory medicine was also provided 

The assaliant is now trying to claim the footage has been 'doctored' and he was bitten by the dog which is all false.  The RSPCA are representing Maya in the next upcoming court case.

 This case is currently being followed up by all major news networks.

ABC news (Maya's first court case results) 14/04/26