A 31-year-old Perth man has been charged with animal cruelty, after the RSPCA seized two starving dogs from his home in Tapping.
An RSPCA WA inspector attended the property on 14 March after receiving a cruelty report.
She found two female dogs, a 13-year-old kelpie-cross and a five-year-old maremma, in poor condition with their ribs, hips and spines visible.
The inspector was told by a witness that both dogs had been skinny for around six months, but they had become worse in recent days.
The inspector seized the dogs and brought them to RSPCA WA's Animal Care Centre in Malaga, where a vet noted they were severely underweight.
The kelpie-cross weighed just 9kg, and the maremma was a shocking 17kg. Both dogs were placed on a feeding plan and have gained a combined 20kg while in care.
The accused has been charged under sections 19(1) and 19(3)(d) of the Animal Welfare Act 2002. RSPCA WA will allege the dogs were not provided with proper and sufficient food.
The charges will be heard in Joondalup Magistrates Court on 4 August 2023.
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 24/7 on 1300 CRUELTY (1300 278 358) or at rspcawa.org.au
