A 46-year-old Leonora woman has been charged with animal cruelty after the brutal beating of a dog was captured on CCTV.
The video shows a woman walking with a young child and a Jack Russell crossbreed near the Leonora Post Office on Tower Street on the morning of 1 January 2022.
RSPCA WA will allege the accused is the woman who can be seen subjecting the dog to a prolonged attack which included swinging him by his front legs into a brick wall multiple times, punching him with a closed fist, kicking him in the stomach, walking along swinging him by one leg, throwing him onto the ground, and stomping on him.
A local police officer identified the woman in the footage as the accused. An RSPCA WA inspector attended the woman's home where she observed the dog was unable to walk properly.
The accused surrendered the dog to RSPCA WA with vet examinations determining his injuries were such that his hind leg had to be amputated. The dog was later euthanised.
The accused has been charged under sections 19(1) and 19 (2)(a) of the Animal Welfare Act 2002. RSPCA WA will allege she was cruel to an animal in that she maliciously beat the dog.
The maximum penalty is a $50,000 fine and five years in prison.
The charge will be heard in Leonora Magistrates Court on 14 November 2023.
