A 38-year-old Cooloongup man today has been convicted of animal cruelty after the RSPCA found his bull terrier, Harvey, emaciated and living in poor conditions earlier this year.
The offender has been fined $4000, banned from owning a dog for two years, and ordered to pay costs totalling $834.70, which includes compensating the RSPCA for Harvey's care.
A male brindle and white bull terrier was reported to the RSPCA in March by a concerned member of the public.
RSPCA inspectors attended the Cooloongup property and described eight year old Harvey, as having a very poor body condition with ribs, hips and spine visible.
They couldn't see any dog food in the immediate vicinity and the only water, located in a bucket, was dirty. Harvey was living in poor conditions with a large amount of faeces and rubbish.
Harvey was subsequently seized by the RSPCA.
When he arrived at the Animal Care Centre in Malaga, vets found Harvey was emaciated, with no palpable fat. His eyes were slightly sunken, suspected to be as the result of muscle loss in his face. He was dirty, had fly worry, redness and scabbing on his ears, and generalised muscle atrophy.
Harvey has since fully recovered while in RSPCA WA care. He has gained close to one third of his body weight and is in good health.
Executive Manager Animal and Enforcement Operations, Hannah Dreaver, said this was a classic case of unnecessary neglect.
'Unfortunately we see these types of cases all too often,' Hannah said.
'Providing your animals with enough food and water and providing them with a suitable environment to live in along with necessary vet care is the absolute minimum people should do.
'Harvey was left seemingly forgotten on the concrete floor of a carport, hungry and thirsty and surrounded by rubbish and filth.
The Animal Welfare Act is very clear this kind of neglect constitutes animal cruelty and offenders face a criminal conviction, financial penalties and even jail time.
'Harvey has become a bit of an office favourite in his time with us. He is affectionate, engaging and a little cheeky. It's heart breaking to think of him so hungry and ignored.'
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.
