10 September 2024
A 27-year-old Usher man has been charged with animal cruelty after allegedly leaving his dog to suffer untreated wounds.
In April, an RSPCA WA inspector attended the accused's property after receiving reports of a male American Staffordshire bull terrier suffering 'substantial open wounds to his back, neck, shoulders and head'.
The inspector spoke to the accused and received contradictory and confusing accounts of how the dog was inflicted with the injuries.
The dog was transported to the RSPCA and a vet examination found he had wounds on his neck and back consistent with third degree burns and that were 10 to 14 days old. A wound was also found to be infected with debris underneath.
A subsequent examination found the dog's wounds were consistent with being injured in a dog fight, although the veterinarian could not rule out burns.
The dog has since recovered in the care of RSPCA WA and is on foster.
The accused has been charged under section 19(1) and 19(3)(h) of the Animal Welfare Act 2002. RSPCA WA will allege he was cruel to an animal in that he allowed the dog to suffer harm that could have been alleviated by taking reasonable steps.
The maximum penalty for a charge of animal cruelty is a $50,000 fine and five years in prison.
The charges will be heard in Bunbury Magistrates Court on 19 September 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.
