26 September 2024

A 27-year-old Usher man has been fined $5000 and banned from being in charge of animals for five years after leaving his dog to suffer untreated wounds. 

Last Thursday, Bunbury Magistrates Court heard an RSPCA WA inspector attended the offender’s property in April after receiving reports of a male American Staffordshire bull terrier suffering ‘substantial open wounds to his back, neck, shoulders and head’. 

The inspector spoke to the offender and received contradictory and confusing accounts of how the dog, named Blaze, was inflicted with the injuries. Among the possible reasons for his injuries, the offender suggested he could have been in a dog fight, he could have nibbled at his fur, someone could have hit him, or he could have turned into a zombie and started eating himself.

Blaze was transported to the RSPCA and a vet examination found he had wounds on his neck and back consistent with third degree burns and that were 10 to 14 days old. A wound was also found to be infected with debris underneath. 

A subsequent examination found his wounds were consistent with being injured in a dog fight, although the veterinarian could not rule out burns.  

Blaze has since recovered in the care of RSPCA WA and is on foster. 

Magistrate Stephen Butcher said the offender’s reasons for why Blaze had injuries were “internally inconsistent and implausible”. 

“If it was not so serious it would be laughable that he thought Blaze turned into a zombie and started eating himself,” he said. “[It is] plain as the nose on my face that anyone can open their eyes and see the injuries which make the lies more implausible.” 

Inspector Manager Kylie Green said it was obvious Blaze was in considerable pain given the nature of his injuries.

“Blaze needed vet care for his infected wounds and it is blatant cruelty to have denied him that,” she said. 

The offender was convicted under section 19(1) and 19(3)(h) of the Animal Welfare Act 2002. He was found to have been cruel to an animal in that he allowed Blaze to suffer harm that could have been alleviated by taking reasonable steps. He was also ordered to pay $1089 in costs. RSPCA WA sought forfeiture of Blaze in a separate proceeding. 

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. 

RSPCA WA thanks Zoe Gilders of ZG Criminal Law for her assistance in this matter.