Trio charged after tethered dog dies in 41-degree heat

14 June 2022

Three people have been charged with animal cruelty after a six-year-old bull mastiff dog died of heatstroke, chained to a metal stake in a Perth backyard on a 41-degree day.

The RSPCA responded to a cruelty complaint in Kelmscott on 18 January.

The man who answered the door said there was a dog on a run around the back and gave the inspector permission to enter the backyard to check on him.

What the inspector found was a large black and white dog lying in the sand in the sun. He wasn’t moving and hadn’t reacted to her entering the yard.

The inspector approached the dog and confirmed he was deceased.

She noted he was attached to a metal stake by a heavy metal chain which was too hot for her to touch. The chain was wrapped around the stake two or three times, shortening the tether.

A 33-year-old-man and 38-year-old woman, occupants of the property where the dog was found, and a 29-year-old woman, the dog’s owner, are each facing one count of animal cruelty.

RSPCA WA will allege they were cruel to the dog in that they restrained him in a manner likely to cause harm and did not provide him with sufficient water.

The charges will be heard in the Armadale Magistrates Court on 24 June.

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 online here.

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