A 22-year-old Swan View man has been fined $4000 and banned from being in charge of an animal for two years after pleading guilty to beating his one-year-old Bull Arab Mastiff cross, Archie.
Midland Magistrates Court on Monday heard at the offender's family home in June, he became angry with the dog for chewing a child's teddy bear.
He is said to have forcefully punched Archie 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 Archie urinated), and kicking him while wearing steel capped boots.
Onlookers described Archie as fearful and trying to run away. They attempted to intervene, and police were called.
An RSPCA WA inspector attended the offender's property after receiving a cruelty complaint from WAPOL.
He denied the incident, stating he only softly tapped Archie on the nose with the chewed toy.
The inspector seized the dog, who continues to be cared for by the RSPCA.
Magistrate Greg Benn described the attack as "prolonged and vicious".
RSPCA WA Inspector Manager Kylie Green said Archie's case was heartbreaking.
"There is never a situation which warrants intentionally hurting an animal," she said.
"This kind of behaviour is not tolerated in our community, and I am pleased justice could be achieved for poor Archie today.
"Ramifications from treatment like this are profound for the animals involved and Archie's ongoing behavioural difficulties are testament to that."
The offender was sentenced under sections 19(1) and 19(2)(a) of the Animal Welfare Act 2002. He was found to have been cruel to the dog in that he maliciously beat him.
The maximum penalty for a charge of animal cruelty is a $50,000 fine and five years in prison.
He was also ordered to pay legal costs of $1245 and reimburse the RSPCA $936 for care costs.
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
