Dawesville couple convicted for neglecting sick, old dog
A Dawesville couple has been convicted of animal cruelty for allowing their 12-year-old American bulldog to suffer chronic health conditions without treatment.
The man aged 41, was fined $2,750 and ordered to pay $8,000 in legal costs. The woman, also 41, was fined $2,000 and ordered to pay $1,452 in legal costs. Both received a spent conviction and were prohibited from owning animals for three years.
Mandurah Magistrates Court heard that RSPCA WA received a cruelty report in relation to the dog in March 2024.
Inspectors attended the Dawesville home where they saw the elderly dog, named Thor, was emaciated with his pelvis, spine and ribs prominent.
The inspectors also noted he was having difficulty supporting himself as his back legs were collapsing.
The female offender accepted that Thor was in a disgraceful condition. The male offender was aware of Thor’s health issues and informed the inspectors that they had been attempting to put weight on him. Both offenders admitted that they had not sought any veterinary advice or treatment for Thor.
They agreed to surrender Thor to RSPCA WA. A subsequent vet examination found he had an aggressive blood cancer, ears so chronically infected they were unable to
be examined without the dog being sedated, a mass on his eye, and he was emaciated and suffering from muscle loss and musculoskeletal issues.
Due to the severity and impact of these conditions on his quality of life, Thor was humanely euthanised.
In sentencing, Magistrate Clare Cullen said any person in the position of the offender would have been able to readily recognise that Thor was severely unwell and suffering. “He was so emaciated that any blind Freddie could see.”
“I find that the offender knew or ought to know about the state of Thor. The severity of Thor’s condition was such that it should have been apparent to any reasonable person.”
RSPCA WA Inspector Manager Kylie Green said Thor’s owners had, by their own admission, grossly neglected him.
“They told our inspectors that he had been showing signs of illness for some time yet did nothing about it,”
“Poor Thor was skin and bone and in obvious pain.
“If you own an animal, you have a responsibility to look after them – there was no need for Thor to suffer like that.”
Each offender was charged under sections 19(1) and 19(3)(h) 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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