A 43-year-old Girrawheen woman has been charged with animal cruelty after allegedly trying to insert a small bag of methylamphetamine into her miniature Dachshund's anus.
In February 2024, WA police officers stopped the accused's vehicle after officers observed it being driven rapidly out of a shopping centre carpark.
Upon the officers advising the accused that they were going to search her and her vehicle, they observed her allegedly taking a small package concealed in her bra and attempting to insert it into the dog's anus.
The package, allegedly containing approximately 2 grams of methylamphetamine, was recovered.
WA police subsequently made a cruelty report to RSPCA WA and the dog was seized.
Upon veterinary examination, the dog tested positive to amphetamine. There was also some methylamphetamine in his system, but at below reportable levels.
The accused has been charged under sections 19(1) and 19(2)(e) of the Animal Welfare Act 2002. RSPCA WA will allege she was cruel to her dog in that she attempted to place a package containing drugs into the dog's anus, knowing his anal area was already infected and painful.
RSPCA WA will also allege that the accused should have known that, if she had succeeded in inserting the package into her dog's anus, it was likely that the methylamphetamine would be absorbed into the dog's body.
The maximum penalty is a $50,000 fine and five years in prison.
The charge will be heard in Joondalup Magistrates Court on 2 August 2024.
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.
