A 52-year-old Melville man has been convicted of animal cruelty for beating his four-year-old Chihuahua, Joey, causing fractures and other injuries. He was fined $4,200 and banned from owning an animal for five years. The offender was also ordered to pay $14,604.76 in legal costs and reimbursements for Joey's treatment and care and was fined $250 for refusing to give an RSPCA WA inspector his date of birth.
Fremantle Magistrates Court was today told RSPCA WA received a cruelty report in October 2024 from a person who had heard the Joey yelping and squealing. The witness then saw the offender slamming Joey into an armchair several times. Joey was loudly crying and yelping, with the offender yelling at him to "shut up". The witness reported they then heard further thuds and banging, along with Joey yelping.
Around 15 minutes later, the offender was seen carrying the dog to his car inside a brown-coloured blanket or jacket. Joey's legs were hanging down and slightly curled. A WA Police officer attended the offender's property that evening and seized Joey due to suspected offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2002.
Joey was taken to The Animal Hospital at Murdoch University. He had to be sedated before he could be examined because he was exhibiting severe behavioural reactions because of fear. The examination found Joey was suffering a bruised ear; redness, hair loss and wounds that had started to scab on his neck and stomach; and two fractured teeth.
Joey was then transported to RSPCA WA where he was also found to have a fractured tail. He continued to display signs of severe distress including immense fear of people and being handled. RSPCA WA staff were unable to approach Joey without him snarling, growling, barking, biting, and shaking with fear. A veterinary behavioural specialist brought in to examine Joey determined his severe behavioural reactions showed he had been ill-treated and had lost trust in human interactions.
After seven months of intensive rehabilitation by RSPCA WA's behaviour team, Joey was placed with a foster carer in May this year where he continues to recover.
In sentencing, Magistrate Melissa McEwen said it was "distressing to watch" footage of the incident and that the offender's ill treatment of Joey was "disgusting… completely uncalled for."
RSPCA WA Inspector Manager Kylie Green said the offender's treatment of Joey was despicable.
"Joey weighs around two and a half kilos – the beating could have easily killed him," she said. "As it was, Joey would have suffered pain from his broken tail and teeth, and other injuries, and the psychological damage was plain for all to see – he was absolutely terrified."
The offender was sentenced under sections 19(1) and 19(2)(a) of the Animal Welfare Act 2002. The maximum penalty for a charge of animal cruelty is a $50,000 fine and five years 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/report-cruelty.
