28 January 2026

A 36-year-old Geraldton woman has been convicted of three charges of animal cruelty after leaving her dogs locked inside her Spalding house, hungry and needing vet care.

She has been fined $8,000, banned from being in charge of an animal for five years, and ordered to pay legal costs of $1,531.

Geraldton Magistrates Court heard RSPCA WA received a cruelty report about the male Jack Russell, named Biggie, and two female terriers, named Nala and Moana, at her home in October 2024.

A City of Greater Geraldton ranger reported seeing the dogs inside the home – two of them appeared to be very underweight and one appeared to have a skin condition. The ranger noted a strong odour and could see a build-up of dog faeces and urine. She could not see any food or water available.

RSPCA WA inspectors attended the property and obtained an urgent warrant to enter the dwelling. There was no food or water available to the dogs and there was a large build-up of dog faeces and dried urine throughout the house which appeared to have not been cleaned in weeks. There were no signs anyone was living in the home.

The dogs were seized and transported to RSPCA WA’s Animal Care Centre in Malaga.

The offender told inspectors she had not been at the property for four days but had left food and water for the dogs. She advised one of the female dogs was underweight because she had had a litter of puppies and had not been wormed.

Vet examinations found Biggie was anaemic and had a painful chronic skin disease caused by pruritus and skin infection. Moana was underweight due to malnourishment, with a body condition score of 2/5, and she had low muscle mass due to reduced nutrition. Nala was anaemic and also underweight due to malnourishment with a body condition score of 1.5/5.

All three dogs have recovered and have since been adopted into loving new homes.

In sentencing, Magistrate Andrew Wadham said, “It would seem by the condition of those dogs … that one could reasonably infer that this was not the first time that the animals had been left unattended, to suffer.”

RSPCA WA Inspector Manager Kylie Green said Biggie, Moana, and Nala’s basic needs had not been met.

“It is a pet owner’s responsibility to make sure the animals in their care are being fed properly, have access to water, and have their vet care needs met at a minimum,” she said.

“It is clear the offender in this matter didn’t meet those minimum needs and didn’t take her responsibility seriously.”

The offender was convicted under sections 19(1), 19(3)(d), 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.

RSPCA WA relies on the community to report suspected animal cruelty and neglect. Reports can be made to 1300 CRUELTY (1300 278 358) or at rspcawa.org.au.