A 40-year-old man has been charged with 36 counts of animal cruelty in relation to an alleged puppy farm he was operating in Canning Vale. He was charged following the discovery of 105 dogs at the property.
RSPCA WA received a cruelty report from a City of Canning ranger in mid-December last year, which advised there were a large number of dogs roaming outside of the Canning Vale property, two of which the ranger had already taken to a vet for urgent attention.
As a result of the report, RSPCA WA inspectors attended the property and observed two Cocker Spaniels inside the house, one of which appeared to be pregnant, as well as a build-up of dog faeces inside which was creating an overpowering smell. There was no furniture in the house and no one appeared to live at the property.
Due to suspected offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2002, the inspectors entered the premises. In the rear yard, they saw multiple kennel blocks and enclosed areas housing multiple dogs. There was a range of puppies and adult dogs, including golden retriever x poodles (groodles), golden retrievers, corgis, French bulldogs, cocker spaniels, and other mixed breeds.
Some of the dogs had severely matted and overgrown coats and others appeared fearful as the inspectors approached. One golden retriever puppy appeared to have a bulging eye, and one enclosure appeared to house about 20 groodles with overgrown coats.
The accused told RSPCA WA inspectors he owned all of the dogs at the property and was aware that some of them required urgent medical care but said he wouldn't be taking them to a vet.
Over the next ten days, RSPCA WA staff assessed and attended to the dogs, seizing many of them in the process.
On Christmas Eve and Boxing Day, a team of RSPCA WA inspectors and staff seized the remaining 92 dogs, the majority of which were in a poor state of hygiene and were exhibiting signs of distress.
Civil forfeiture of the dogs (and the offspring born into RSPCA WA's care – 117 dogs in total) was granted in April.
The accused has been charged under sections 19(1), 19(3)(b)(ii), 19(3)(d), and 19(3)(h) of the Animal Welfare Act 2002. RSPCA WA will allege that he was cruel to the dogs in that he confined them in a manner that caused or was likely to cause unnecessary harm; did not provide them with proper and sufficient food; and, allowed them to suffer harm which could have been alleviated by taking reasonable steps.
The maximum penalty for a charge of animal cruelty is a $50,000 fine and five years in prison.
The matter will be heard on 6 June at Armadale Magistrates Court.
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.
