15 June 2026

A 37-year-old Mandurah man and 27-year-old East Cannington woman have been convicted of animal cruelty after failing to provide enough food and water to three dogs, despite receiving help from RSPCA WA inspectors.

The male offender was sentenced in Armadale Magistrates Court on Friday after pleading guilty to three charges of failing to provide sufficient food and water and two charges of failing to comply with written directions issued by an RSPCA WA inspector.

He was fined $7,000 and banned from being in charge of any animal for five years.

The sentencing follows the conviction of the female offender in May for the same offences. She was fined $10,000 and banned from being in charge of any animal for 10 years.

The charges related to three dogs seized from an East Cannington property the offenders were both living at in June 2025. Inspectors found the dogs, a Bull Arab cross named Lulu, and two Staffy crosses, Duke and Koda, were underweight and dehydrated.

RSPCA WA inspectors had tried to work with the offenders to improve the dogs' welfare, including giving them two large bags of dog food and issuing written directions to ensure the dogs were given proper and sufficient food and water. Astoundingly, when an inspector returned to the home, she saw the bags of dog food had not been opened.

All three dogs were subsequently seized, along with a litter of five puppies Lulu had recently birthed, and taken to the RSPCA in Malaga. Lulu and Koda made a full recovery and have since been adopted, as have all five puppies. Sadly, despite seven months of rehabilitation efforts, Duke was humanely euthanised. 

During sentencing, Magistrate Mark Millington said: "The pictures tell a thousand words… those photos are disturbing”.

He also noted that the animals relied on people for their care, saying: "They can't take themselves to get food.” And, “… (there were) unopened bags of dog food that had been provided by the RSPCA – it is not that hard.”

RSPCA WA Inspector Manager Kylie Green said the case was frustrating because support had been offered.

"Our inspectors tried to help these dogs and the people responsible for them," Ms Green said. "They gave advice, issued directions and even supplied free dog food, but the dogs' welfare continued to deteriorate.

"Providing adequate food and water is one of the most basic responsibilities of animal ownership. These dogs suffered because those basic needs were not met."
 
The offenders were convicted under sections 19(1), 19(3)(d) and 40(2) 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 maximum penalty for a charge of failing to comply with a written direction by an RSPCA WA inspector is $20,000 and one year 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 via rspcawa.org.au.