$10k fine for ill-treatment of German Shepherd in Baldivis
A 38-year-old southern suburbs man has been fined $10,000 and banned from being in charge of an animal for two years over an incident in Baldivis involving his German Shepherd, Rocky.
The offender pleaded guilty to one count of animal cruelty after he was seen by witnesses and captured on CCTV ill-treating Rocky on 3 May 2026.
Rockingham Magistrates Court heard the incident happened at around 1pm when the offender and another man drove up to the dog near the corner of Spinifex Road and Marlberry Lane in Baldivis.
The offender got out of the Ford Ranger and took hold of the dog before forcefully hitting him three times with a dog lead.
The man can then be seen lifting Rocky slightly by his collar before picking him up, swinging him and using the momentum to forcefully throw him into the tray of the utility. One witness described hearing an “almighty bang” when Rocky landed.
The offender then swung the dog lead forcefully in Rocky’s direction before climbing into the tray of the vehicle and yelling at him. A witness saw the offender kicking and making a stomping motion in Rocky’s vicinity while the dog was pinned in a small space between two large toolboxes.
A member of the public approached and yelled at the offender to stop hurting Rocky. The utility then drove away. CCTV of the incident was posted online and RSPCA WA subsequently received a cruelty report about it.
An RSPCA WA inspector interviewed the offender who said he had been “frustrated” after Rocky ran away.
He admitted hitting him with the dog lead and that he had “chucked him on the back of the ute”. He denied kicking or stomping on the dog.
Rocky was seized due to suspected offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2002. A vet examination found he was too anxious to be properly examined while conscious. He showed signs of pain when his neck was extended or manipulated, including whimpering and growling.
Rocky continues to recover in foster care. 
In sentencing, Magistrate Sarah Oliver said the offending involved a “very public display of very violent behaviour” and that the “public reaction demonstrates the public outrage at this despicable action, which is understandable.”
RSPCA WA Inspector Manager Kylie Green said the offender’s actions were an angry and completely unacceptable response to a dog who had simply run away.
“Animals rely on their owners to keep them safe. Frustration or anger is never an excuse to deliberately hurt or frighten an animal,” she said.
The offender was convicted under sections 19(1) and 19(2)(a) of the Animal Welfare Act 2002. 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 on 1300 CRUELTY (1300 278 358) or at rspcawa.org.au.
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