A 30-year-old Girrawheen woman has been charged with animal cruelty for allegedly leaving her two dogs in her backyard in the full sun on a 30°C degree day, without access to shade or water.
RSPCA WA inspectors attended the accused's property in November 2024 after receiving a cruelty report about a barking dog who was tethered to a Hills Hoist in the backyard without access to shade. The caller advised nobody was at the home.
When inspectors arrived at the property, they heard two dogs barking and found a female tan-coloured Staffy tethered and a female black-coloured Kelpie confined in a crate in direct sunlight with no access to shelter.
Nobody was at the home so the inspectors entered the rear yard areas due to suspected offences under Part 3 of the Animal Welfare Act 2002.
The Staffy had wrapped her chain tether around the base of the Hills Hoist several times, leaving her only 40cm of movement. She was completely exposed to sunlight and the elements with no access to a kennel, shelter, or shade. She had no access to water as both containers near her were empty and dry and she could not have reached them anyway. She was barking and panting and appeared to be heat distressed.
The Kelpie was confined inside a wire crate positioned on top of brick pavers and she was completely exposed to the sunlight and elements with no shade cast. She also had no access to water with only an empty shallow glass saucer inside the crate. The dog cowered and urinated when an inspector approached her.
Both dogs were seized from the property as the inspectors had imminent concern for their welfare. When the Staffy was released, she launched to the empty water dishes and quicky retreated to a shady area. Both dogs were evidently suffering from heat distress.
The dogs were transported to Perth Vet Emergency where they drank rapidly for over a minute as soon as they got inside.
A vet examination showed both dogs were dehydrated and showing mild heat distress. The vet's opinion was that they would have been in a much worse state if they had not been removed from the property.
Both dogs continue to recover at RSPCA WA.
The accused has been charged under sections 19(1), 19(3)(b)(ii), 19(3)(d) and 19(3)(e) of the Animal Welfare Act 2002. RSPCA WA will allege she was cruel to the dogs in that she restrained and confined them in a manner that was likely to cause harm, did not provide them with sufficient water, and did not provide sufficient shade or shelter from the elements.
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 Joondalup Magistrates Court on 28 February 2025.
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.
