12 April 2022

A 62-year-old man has been charged with animal cruelty after 11 kelpie-cross dogs, five of them puppies, were found living in filthy conditions at his Badgingarra address.

On 24 November 2021, an RSPCA WA inspector attended the property in response to a cruelty report.

She found the dogs and puppies locked in concrete kennels riddled with faeces and urine. She noted some of the dogs had little water or only dirty water available, and nowhere clean to stand or lie down.

The dogs and puppies were seized by RSPCA WA, and taken to the Animal Care Centre in Malaga, where they were examined by vets. Most were found to be suffering from a range of parasitic infections.

The inspector also sighted a horse in very poor condition at the property. He was later taken to an external vet who identified multiple serious health issues and decided euthanasia was the kindest option.

The alleged offender has been charged under sections 19 (1), 19(3)(b)(ii) and 19(3)(h) of the Animal Welfare Act 2002. RSPCA WA will allege that he confined the dogs in a manner that was likely to cause unnecessary harm, and that the horse’s suffering could have been alleviated if the accused had sought vet treatment for him.

The 12 charges will be heard in the Moora Magistrates Court on 20 April 2022.

The maximum penalty for an animal cruelty charge 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 24/7 on 1300 CRUELTY (1300 278 358) or online here.