A Baldivis man has been sentenced in Rockingham Magistrates Court after admitting to causing harm to his ex-wife's elderly dog, Blossom, by throwing her with enough force to cause a catastrophic leg fracture.
The 47-year-old was fined $3,000, prohibited from being in charge of an animal for two years, and ordered to pay $1,646.30 in legal costs.
The court heard RSPCA WA received a cruelty report from Warnbro Veterinary Hospital on 8 January 2025 regarding Blossom, an 11-year-old Cavalier King Charles spaniel/poodle cross (cavoodle).
Two days earlier, Blossom had been taken to the vet hospital by her owner, the offender's ex-wife.
The dog was suffering a serious injury which an examination and x-rays confirmed was a severe fracture to her left femur, involving displacement of the bone fragments. Due to the extent of the injury and taking into account Blossom's age and suitability for complex orthopaedic surgery, the vet team at Warnbro Veterinary Hospital recommended humane euthanasia.
After receiving the cruelty report, an RSPCA WA inspector spoke to the offender under caution. He admitted he became frustrated when Blossom would not eat her food - he said he had grabbed her by the scruff of the neck and threw her a distance of about 1.5 metres.
In sentencing, Magistrate Sarah Oliver said Blossom was "very vulnerable" and that the "offending was unacceptable". She said, "I accept that this is a serious offence" and that "because of the nature of the injury and [her] age [Blossom] was not able to be saved".
RSPCA WA Inspector Manager Kylie Green said it was heartbreaking to think how scared and in pain Blossom would have been.
"Animals are completely dependent on us for their care and protection. Frustration is never an excuse for responding with violence," Ms Green said. "This was a painful and entirely preventable outcome for Blossom."
The offender was sentenced under the Animal Welfare Act 2002. The maximum penalty for conviction of an animal cruelty charge is a $50,000 fine and five years' imprisonment.
RSPCA relies on the community to report suspected cruelty and neglect. Reports can be made on 1300 278 358 or online.
