A 49-year-old Huntingdale man has been fined $5,300 and banned from owning a dog for two years for offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2002.
He was fined $3,000 for failing to properly care for his Schnauzer poodle crossbreed, leaving the dog to suffer from untreated medical conditions and a severely matted coat; $500 for failing to comply with a written direction from an RSPCA WA inspector; and $1,800 for knowingly providing false information on two occasions.
On Friday, Armadale Magistrates Court heard that RSPCA WA received a cruelty report about the dog in June 2025. Inspectors attended the offender's home where they saw 12-year-old Monty in the fenced front yard. His coat was severely matted, and he was making unusual wheezing sounds in between barking.
The offender was directed to get Monty groomed. He told inspectors he had made an appointment at Monty's regular groomers. He later said the groomer had sent a text message postponing the appointment due to illness.
When contacted by RSPCA WA, the grooming business said they last saw Monty in April 2024 – 14 months prior. An appointment had been booked for June 2024, but the offender didn't show up, and he hadn't made any appointments since. The business also said no groomers had been off sick the week the offender claimed he was told the (non-existent) appointment would be postponed.
Monty was subsequently seized by inspectors. A vet examination revealed that he was infested with fleas; had large, heavy matts across his entire body which were pulling on his skin causing pain; had a dirty coat and a foul odour because of urine staining and faecal balls accumulating in his coat around his anus; had painful infections in both ears; and painful dental disease.
Monty is continuing to recover in RSPCA WA foster care.
RSPCA WA Inspector Manager Kylie Green said there was no need for Monty to suffer the way he did. "Grooming isn't an optional "nice to do" – for breeds that don't shed it is an essential part of maintaining health and well-being," she said.
"Monty had a range of painful conditions that could have been simply prevented or rectified but instead the offender lied to inspectors about make-believe appointments and postponements, all while Monty continued to suffer unnecessarily."
The offender was charged under sections 19(1), 19(3)(h), 40(2) and 77(c) of the Animal Welfare Act 2002. In addition to the fines, he was also ordered to pay $2414.30 in costs and reimbursements.
The maximum penalty for an animal cruelty offence is a $50,000 fine and five years in prison, the maximum sentence for failing to comply with a written direction and for providing false information 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 on 1300 CRUELTY (1300 278 358) or at rspcawa.org.au.
