A 38-year-old man has been charged with animal cruelty after allegedly failing to provide his Staffordshire terrier dog with sufficient food and allegedly failing to provide vet care for his Maltese terrier dog.
An RSPCA inspector attended the man's Carramar home in September 2022 after receiving a cruelty report regarding two dogs at the property, one of which was described as skinny and the other as having a very matted coat.
The inspector made contact with the accused who advised he could not afford to take the dogs to the vet but he had organised to surrender the two dogs to RSPCA WA the following day. However, the inspector discovered he had not made those arrangements.
Due to the suspected offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2002 and the fact the dogs had not been to a vet recently, the inspector entered the property and saw the Staffordshire terrier had a protruding spine and ribs, as well as sunken muscle on her face and legs.
She also had multiple lumps on her body and was defecating a grain-like substance which appeared to be wheat.
The Maltese's coat was so matted it was tight against his skin and he was clearly in discomfort. He also had faeces stuck in his coat, an underbite, and a loose canine.
The inspector seized the two dogs and transported them to the RSPCA WA Animal Care Centre in Malaga for immediate veterinary care.
The accused has been charged under sections 19(1), 19(3)(d), and 19(3)(h) of the Animal Welfare Act 2002.
RSPCA WA will allege he was cruel to the Staffordshire terrier in that he did not provide her with sufficient food and that he was cruel to the Maltese terrier in that he failed to alleviate harm by seeking vet care for him.
The maximum penalty is a $50,000 fine and five years in prison.
The charges 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.
