Armadale dog groomer charged with animal cruelty

11 September 2023

A 31-year-old Champion Lakes woman has been charged with animal cruelty for allegedly slapping, forcefully throwing and otherwise roughly handling a dog.

RSPCA WA will allege the accused caused the tan and white Maltese X Shih tzu dog distress and pain while she was employed as a groomer at a business in September 2021.

CCTV supplied to the RSPCA allegedly shows the woman cornering the dog before slapping him on the head with an open hand, lifting him off the grooming table by his ears, throwing him into a bath with force, holding him down with her body weight, and lifting him by the lead around his neck, before throwing him into a cage.

The accused has been charged under sections 19(1), 19(2)(a) and 19(3)(b)(ii) of the Animal Welfare Act 2002. RSPCA WA will allege the accused was cruel to an animal while the animal was in her care during a dog grooming session by ill-treating him and restraining him in a manner likely to cause unnecessary harm.

The charges will be heard in Armadale Magistrates Court on 11 October 2023.

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 24/7 on 1300 CRUELTY (1300 278 358) or at rspcawa.org.au

Latest

Community Action Day - Mandurah

Free pet medical checks, free flea and tick treatments, behaviour advice and free pet food for families who might be experiencing financial hardship.
Marketing Coordinator

RSPCA WA, the state’s leading animal welfare charity dedicated to improving the lives of all animals, has an exciting six-month contract with full-time hours. This role will be responsible for coordinating the marketing activities for the organisation with a specific focus on RSPCA WA's fundraising campaigns.
Bonita (ID 63892)

Mastiff (F) - 3 Years Old - Medium Term Foster Needed
Finley (ID 64090)

Rottweiler (M) - 4 Months Old - Long Term Foster Needed

Hefty fine for breaching lifetime animal ownership ban

A 77-year-old man has been fined $14,500 for breaching a lifetime animal ownership ban.
Dog groomer fined for animal cruelty

A 31-year-old Champion Lakes woman will have to pay $7,500 in fines and costs for slapping, forcefully throwing and otherwise roughly handling a dog during a grooming session.
RSPCA WA Pet Census – It's all love despite rising costs

Almost three quarters of WA pet owners celebrate their pet’s birthday, RSPCA WA’s annual pet census found, with over half saying their pet’s biggest impact in life is providing love and companionship.
RSPCA WA foster care far from a drag

RSPCA WA recently published a Facebook post to attract much-needed foster carers for about 30 Burmese cats who were all named after drag queens. The response was overwhelming, with many of the cats now in homes.
Treatment of sick old dog 'outrageous' and 'disgusting'

In Midland Magistrates Court today a 54-year-old Eden Hill man was sentenced to six-months imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, for failing to seek medical care for his 18-year-old Labrador-cross named Bear. He was also prohibited from owning animals for five years.
Cost-of-living continues to bite WA pet owners

West Australian pet owners continue to feel the bite of the cost-of-living and housing crises, with both issues major contributors to a more than 40 percent jump in surrender requests.
Alleged failure to seek care for 18yo dog with large tumour

A 54-year-old Midland man has been charged with animal cruelty after allegedly failing to seek medical care for his 18-year-old Labrador-cross dog.
$6k fine for owner who starved horses to 'skin and bone'

A 40-year-old woman from Champion Lakes has been fined a total of $6,000 for starving her two horses until they were ‘skin and bone’.
Make this Easter a safe one for your four-legged friend

RSPCA WA is urging pet owners to keep a close eye on their animals around chocolate this Easter following a shocking rise in calls to the Animal Poisons Helpline last year.
Million Paws Walk cancelled amid economic pressures

RSPCA WA has made the heartbreaking decision to cancel this year’s Million Paws Walk amid increasing cost-of-living pressures and mounting demands for the organisation’s services.