9 October 2024
A 39-year-old woman has been charged with failing to alleviate harm after her 14-week-old Rottweiler puppy was found by a City of Belmont ranger with a deep wound from his collar which was too tight.
RSPCA WA received an urgent call from the ranger in April regarding the male puppy, found at a Redcliffe property, who appeared to have an open, pus-filled laceration to his throat.
An inspector attended the property where the accused refused to allow her to see the dog.
The inspector later returned to the property with two police officers but the accused was not home.
The inspector obtained an urgent warrant to enter the house. She seized the puppy and took him to Perth Vet Emergency for immediate assessment and treatment. The vet found the puppy's collar was so small and constricting that it had started to embed into his neck around his throat area.
This had caused a deep and open wound which was approximately two centimetres deep and 10 centimetres long. The vet noted the puppy's pain score as 3/4. He underwent emergency surgery to remove the collar and it was found he had severe cellulitis, an infection, and a fever.
The puppy has made a full recovery in foster care.
The accused has been charged under sections 19(1), 19(3)(h) and 77(a) of the Animal Welfare Act 2002. RSPCA WA will allege the accused was cruel to an animal in that the puppy suffered harm which could have been alleviated by her taking reasonable steps. The maximum penalty for a charge of animal cruelty is a $50,000 fine and five years in prison.
She has also been charged for hindering the inspector which carries a maximum penalty of a $20,000 fine and one year imprisonment.
The charges will be heard in Perth Magistrates Court on 8 November 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
