A 22-year-old Swan View man has been charged with animal cruelty for allegedly beating his one-year-old Bull Arab Mastiff cross.
It is alleged that at the family home in June, the accused became angry with the dog for chewing a child's teddy bear.
He is said to have forcefully punched the dog several times with a closed fist while holding him by the throat, punching him several more times while holding him by the scruff of the neck (during which the dog urinated), and kicking the dog while wearing steel capped boots.
Onlookers describe the dog as fearful and trying to run away. They attempted to intervene, and police were called.
An RSPCA WA inspector attended the accused's property after receiving a cruelty complaint from WAPOL.
The accused denied the incident, stating he only softly tapped the dog on the nose with the chewed toy.
The inspector seized the dog, who continues to be cared for by the RSPCA.
The accused has been charged under sections 19(1) and 19(2)(a) of the Animal Welfare Act 2002.
RSPCA WA will allege the accused was cruel to the dog in that he maliciously beat him.
The charges will be heard in Midland Magistrates Court on 4 November 2024.
The maximum penalty for a charge of animal cruelty is a $50,000 fine and five years in prison.
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
