A 61-year-old Carlisle man has been charged with animal cruelty after allegedly failing to seek vet care for his Mastiff puppy who was suffering from a leg fracture.
The man was also charged for failing to comply with a written direction notice and for obstructing an RSPCA WA inspector from carrying out her job by abusing and threatening her.
In December 2024, RSPCA WA inspectors attended the man's home after receiving a cruelty report regarding an "injured and skinny" dog. They saw the five-month-old puppy who appeared to be lame on her right rear leg and was whimpering when she tried to walk around.
As the accused wasn't home, an inspector left a written direction notice instructing the man to take the puppy to a vet within 24 hours to assess and treat her injury. The next day, the accused left a vitriolic voicemail on the inspector's phone in which he said he had already taken the puppy to the vet a few days prior, and she was "sorted".
A call to the vet revealed that the accused had taken the puppy for a consultation where it was noted she was in significant pain with a pain score of 4/4. The vet had provided first aid by way of a methadone injection which would last for six to eight hours and the accused was told x-rays of the leg were imperative due to a suspected fracture. He declined to have the puppy x-rayed.
The inspectors returned to the property with WA Police officers the following morning to seize the puppy.
After informing the accused that she would be seizing the dog, he began calling her offensive names and threatened to grab a police officer's gun to shoot them all. He then further threatened to physically hurt the inspector as she took the dog away.
The puppy was transported to the RSPCA in Malaga and treated for her pain. After consultation with specialist vets, the decision was made to amputate the leg as repairing the fractures would not be viable.
She continues to recover in foster care.
The accused has been charged under sections 19(1) and 19(3)(h) of the Animal Welfare Act 2002. RSPCA WA will allege the accused was cruel to an animal in that the puppy suffered harm which could have been alleviated by him taking reasonable steps. He was also charged under 47(3) and 77(a) for failing to comply with a written direction notice and obstructing an inspector on two occasions.
The charges will be heard in Perth Magistrates Court on 16 May 2025.
The maximum penalty for a charge of animal cruelty is a $50,000 fine and five years in prison. The maximum penalty for charges under sections 47 and 77 is $20,000 and 1 year 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.
