28 March 2025

A 55-year-old man and 50-year-old woman from Gidgegannup have each received 12-month prison sentences, suspended for 12 months, after RSPCA WA seized a total of 67 animals from appalling conditions at their property on two separate occasions.

They have also been banned from owning animals for 15 years with exception of one dog and one bird for the male offender and one dog and one cat for the female offender. The offenders are required to allow inspectors to monitor the condition of these animals and enforce the order, and they must take the animals to a vet at least once every 12 months.

In total, the pair were ordered to pay $25,783.86 in reimbursement costs to RSPCA WA, $8,000 in legal costs and further costs of $2500. The female offender also received a $1000 global fine for charges of hindering and threatening an inspector.

In sentencing Magistrate Brionie Ayling said the cruelty was “entrenched neglect” and that the “environment (was) entirely inappropriate”.

Dogs, cats, goats, horses, and several smaller pets were found in various states of distress and neglect during a raid at the three-acre address in January 2023.

Six RSPCA WA inspectors, two vets and four staff members, with support from WA Police, executed a warrant at the property which they found was littered with household rubbish, rotting food, building materials and animal cages.

Inspectors immediately spotted three tethered dogs who appeared heat stressed.

At the back of the property, inspectors located a goat with severely overgrown hooves. He was clearly in pain and struggling to stand or walk. Nearby, two other goats were tied up and unable to reach water. A horse named Jarrah was also found to be in poor condition, with her ribs, hips, and spine visible, and a severe skin infection.

Near the entry to the home, there were many overcrowded cages containing guinea pigs, rabbits, rats, and birds. Most of the animals had no clean water or sufficient protection from the heat and were living among faeces. Some of the guinea pigs had open sores on their bodies and one was sadly already deceased, while several rats and rabbits were visibly heat stressed.

With help from police, RSPCA WA inspectors entered the home. Inside, the conditions were shocking. There were large piles of rubbish, which reached the ceiling in some places, and a strong smell of ammonia and faeces. One inspector noted the smell was so bad that it burned her eyes and nose.

Two small dogs were living inside the home. A female named Molly had a suspected fractured jaw and severe dental infection, while the male, named Squirt, had dental disease and painful osteoarthritis.  Six cats were living in crates with excessive faeces and no bedding or water. A subsequent vet check found they were all dehydrated.

RSPCA WA seized five dogs, six cats, one horse, one pony, nine guinea pigs, three goats, eight rabbits, eight rats, one chicken, and five quails. 

In March 2024, RSPCA WA inspectors returned to the property where they seized 20 animals – a magpie, several goats and two horses – who were living in squalor, many with untreated medical conditions and without sufficient food and water.

Eleven of the 67 animals seized had to be humanely euthanised due to the severity of their condition. The others recovered under the care of RSPCA WA and have since been adopted or are in foster care.

RSPCA WA Inspector Manager Kylie Green said the scale of neglect and squalor was quite overwhelming.

“The animal suffering and neglect was blatant,” she said.

“Having a large number of animals does not diminish your responsibility to provide appropriate housing, food, water, and vet care for each and every one.

“If you’re going to keep a range of animals, you must be aware of their individual needs and have the time and resources to keep them all happy and healthy.”

The offenders were sentenced under sections 19(1), 19(3)(b)(ii), 19(3)(d), 19(3)(h) and 19(3)(e) of the Animal Welfare Act 2002. They were convicted of harmful confinement or restraint, failure to alleviate harm through reasonable steps, and failure to provide adequate food, water, or protection from the elements.

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