Busselton couple jailed for “unimaginable” abuse of puppy
WARNING – DISTRESSING CONTENT
A Busselton couple has been sentenced to immediate imprisonment for beating, torturing, abusing, and otherwise tormenting their bull terrier cross puppy named Douglas, to the point where they caused his death.
The 26-year-old male offender was sentenced to 11 months in prison, the female offender, also 26, was sentenced to eight months. Both will be eligible for parole after serving half of their respective sentences.
Each offender was also permanently banned from being in charge of an animal.
They were convicted of a combined 12 charges of animal cruelty and two of providing false and misleading information to an RSPCA WA inspector.
The Bunbury Magistrates Court heard that on 23 December 2024, RSPCA WA and WA Police received a report that the couple had been heard on several occasions over many weeks committing the offences against the puppy.
The report was accompanied by graphic audio recordings of seven separate incidents of Douglas being beaten, tormented, abused and tortured between 8 and 23 December 2024. Loud hitting and smacking noises can be heard, along with Douglas loudly and repeatedly yelping and crying in pain and severe distress.
Both offenders can be heard tormenting Douglas by barking and growling at him and yelling threats to kill and injure him. In one of the recordings, Douglas appears to defecate mid-beating, leading the male offender to scream further profanities. In another, Douglas can be heard being strangled.
Douglas was not seen or heard following the final recording on 23 December. RSPCA WA told the court the offenders caused Douglas’s death and subsequently buried his body in an effort to avoid detection.
RSPCA WA inspectors and WA Police officers attended the property on 23 December, the day they were alerted to the abuse and received the seven recordings of the incidents.
Both offenders admitted to yelling at Douglas, stating they were scared of him and were attempting to discipline him. They said they had taken the puppy to a relative’s farm that morning however the relative denied the claim.
A subsequent RSPCA WA search of the couple’s home revealed blood droplets and stains on the tiled floor inside and paving outside, and blood-stained linen. A search of the offenders’ car revealed mud and dog faeces in the boot and a shovel in the footwell of the rear seats.
In sentencing, Magistrate Stephen Butcher said, “Only a term of imprisonment to be served immediately can reflect the seriousness of their offending.” He described their conduct as “particularly depraved”, “deliberate”, and “intentional”.
“Although the physical injury (to Douglas) could not be isolated, I infer the injuries were significant such to explain the blood, and volume of blood, that was found at the premises,” he said.
“The fact that the (couple’s) children were exposed to the cruelty to the animal and the nature of the cruelty … is such that it aggravates the offending.”
RSPCA WA Inspector Genna Haines said the audio recordings were the most distressing she had encountered in her career investigating animal cruelty.
“The pain and terror Douglas was experiencing throughout the seven recorded beatings is evident,” Ms Haines said.
“He was only 11 weeks old at the time of the first recording – it’s impossible to comprehend how anyone can willingly and repeatedly inflict such physical and mental torment on such a small, innocent puppy.
“Today’s outcome sends a clear message that such abhorrent behaviour is not tolerated by the community or authorities and will be harshly dealt with.”
The male offender was convicted on seven charges relating to the torture, malicious beating, abuse, torment and otherwise ill-treatment of Douglas and one of giving false information to an RSPCA WA inspector in relation to Douglas’ whereabouts.
The female offender was convicted on five charges relating to the torture, malicious beating, abuse, torment and otherwise ill-treatment of Douglas and one of giving false information to an RSPCA WA inspector in relation to Douglas’ whereabouts.
The charges were brought under sections 19(1), 19(2)(a) and 76(c) of the Animal Welfare Act 2002. The maximum penalty for a conviction of animal cruelty is a $50,000 fine and five years in prison. The maximum penalty for providing false or misleading information is a $20,000 fine and one year 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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