A 35-year-old Geraldton woman has been fined $10,000 and banned from owning an animal for three years after leaving a dog and a puppy confined inside her house for several weeks without proper and sufficient food and water.
In May 2024, RSPCA WA received a cruelty report about two dogs who were thought to have been abandoned at a Beachlands property.
A City of Greater Geraldton ranger attended the property and saw a Bull Arab puppy and adult boxer, both named Princess, confined inside the house. There was no food or water available for the dogs and there
was urine and faeces throughout the house.
The ranger poured several 1.5L bottles of water through the front door flywire screen which both dogs drank in a desperate manner.
An RSPCA WA inspector located the dogs' owner in Perth. She said she hadn't been at the Beachlands property since April and thought a family member was caring for the dogs. The offender was subsequently directed to provide sufficient and ongoing food and water for the two dogs, starting that day.
The written directions were not complied with and a warrant to enter the property was subsequently obtained by an RSPCA WA inspector who seized the dogs and took them to a local vet. The dogs were confirmed to be moderately underweight and mildly dehydrated. They also had infections from living in the soiled environment for a long period of time.
The dogs were transported to the RSPCA in Perth, underwent vet care, and have since been recovering in foster care.
In sentencing, Magistrate Evan Shackleton said, "Both animals were vulnerable, they were unable to leave the indoors and therefore unable to find things to eat and drink for themselves."
RSPCA WA Inspector Manager Kylie Green said pets are completely dependent on us to meet their needs.
"Presuming someone else is looking after your pets isn't enough – you remain responsible for their wellbeing," she said.
The offender was convicted under sections 19(1), 19(3)(b)(ii), and 19(3)(d) of the Animal Welfare Act 2002.
She was found to have been cruel to the dogs in that she failed to provide them with adequate food and water and confined them in a manner causing them unnecessary harm. She was also convicted for failing to comply with two written direction notices. The offender was also ordered to pay costs and reimbursements of $5407.
The maximum penalty for a charge of animal cruelty is a $50,000 fine and five years in prison. The maximum penalty for failing to comply with a direction is a $20,000 fine and one 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.
