17 September 2024
A 78-year-old Bullsbrook woman has been charged with animal cruelty after allegedly leaving a goat to suffer permanent damage due to overgrown hooves.
An RSPCA WA inspector attended the woman's property in February and saw the female goat's hooves had started to curl upwards by several centimetres.
The inspector noted the goat appeared to be in discomfort as she was leaning backwards and bearing weight on her heels.
Despite attempts to engage with the accused and have her arrange for the necessary treatment for the goat, the accused remained uncooperative and non-compliant.
The inspector returned to the property with two external vets and an RSPCA WA vet nurse who noted the goat had severely overgrown hooves by at least six to seven centimetres on all four limbs, which had caused the lateral wall to grow over the sole surface.
The vets advised that the goat 'desperately' needed remedial foot trimming and further care and told the accused the goat's condition was concerning as she now had deformed hooves that were causing her pain and discomfort.
The accused did not comply, and the goat was seized by the RSPCA WA inspector after which she was treated and given a guarded prognosis.
The accused has been charged under sections 19(1), 19(3)(h), 40(2) and 47(3) of the Animal Welfare Act 2002. RSPCA WA will allege she was cruel to an animal in that she allowed the goat to suffer harm that could have been alleviated by taking reasonable steps, and that she failed to comply with written directions from the inspector.
The maximum penalty for a charge of animal cruelty is a $50,000 fine and five years in prison. The maximum penalty for failing to comply with a written direction is $20,000 and one year in prison.
The matter has been listed for trial in Midland Magistrates Court on 6 February 2025.
The RSPCA relies on the community to report incidents of suspected cruelty and neglect. Report cruelty 24/7 on 1300 CRUELTY (1300 278 358) or at rspcawa.org.au.
