A 40-year-old woman has been fined $5000 after abandoning her dog in a barren, filthy yard in Narrogin, with no food or water, for at least 12 days.
The cruelty conviction, for contravention of the Animal Welfare Act 2002, relates to the offender abandoning her one-year-old Bull Mastiff, and leaving him without sufficient food and water.
A local ranger spotted the one-year-old, underweight Bull Mastiff on 28 May when responding to a report of an abandoned dog.
The Narrogin Magistrates Court heard RSPCA WA tracked down the home's tenant, the offender, who said she was in Perth and wouldn't be returning to the Wheatbelt until 2 June. She admitted the dog, Bull, was hers and said she had owned him since he was a puppy.
She refused to surrender the dog to the RSPCA and, as there was not sufficient cause under the Act for Bull to be seized, the RSPCA instead organised for him to be provided with daily food and water by local rangers.
The offender did not return to the property on 2 June. Over the following days she made several assurances to the inspector that she was returning and refused several offers to surrender Bull who continued to be given food and water by rangers.
The offender was still absent on 9 June at which time the RSPCA was able to seize Bull and transport him to the RSPCA Animal Care Centre in Perth.
Inspector Manager, Kylie Green, said it was unthinkable that people could just go away and leave their animals to fend for themselves.
'It is not OK under any circumstances to abandon your animals,' said Kylie.
'If Bull hadn't been reported, he would almost certainly have died from thirst and hunger.
'It's even more baffling the offender didn't do the right thing and surrender Bull to the RSPCA on one of the many occasions the inspector made that suggestion—she was still happy to just leave him there.'
Kylie said the RSPCA was coming up to the time of year when it received many reports of abandoned pets.
'Please, if you're heading off over the summer and not taking your pets with you, make sure arrangements are in place for your animals to be looked after properly, preferably by a pet sitter or reputable boarding facility.'
Kylie thanked rangers from the Shire of Narrogin for providing Bull with food and water until he was able to be lawfully seized. The offender, who has since moved to the Southwest, was today also ordered to pay costs of $259.30. Bull was forfeited to the Crown. He remains in the care of the RSPCA in Perth.
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.
