A 38-year-old Floreat man has been charged with animal cruelty after trapping and confining a pet cat in an esky for approximately eight hours, likely causing the cat's death.
RSPCA WA received a cruelty report from a City of Nedlands ranger in March 2023 in relation to the deceased cat who had been confined for an extended period of time.
The accused called the rangers at 4:56pm on 29 March to request they attend his property to collect a cat he had captured earlier that day which was now deceased. He said the cat was likely a feral stray and that he had put it in an esky.
He advised he had put the cat in the esky at 7am. He said he had removed the drain hole of the esky to allow for air flow. He also said he had not put any water in the esky for the cat.
When asked why he put the cat in the esky he said he was worried it was going to scratch him or his children and that the cat appeared aggressive as it was disturbing his rabbits.
The ranger attended the property to scan the cat's microchip, confirming he was someone's pet, and called the owners to advise them.
The cat was transported to Swanbourne Veterinary Hospital and later surrendered to RSPCA WA at the request of his owners.
An RSPCA WA vet said the cat likely died due to suffering from hypoxia and hypercapnia which were exacerbated by increased humidity from water vapour. Stress and fear would have increased metabolism, heat and carbon dioxide production, as well as increase oxygen requirements.
The accused has been charged under sections 19(1) and 19(3)(b)(ii) of the Animal Welfare Act 2002. RSPCA WA will allege while he was a person in charge of the cat, the cat was confined a manner that caused, or was likely to cause, him unnecessary harm.
The maximum penalty is a $50,000 fine and five years in prison.
The matter has been listed for first mention in Perth Magistrates Court on 24 January 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.
