RSPCA WA has condemned a disturbing run of dog-beating cases across Western Australia, with one conviction recorded late last year and multiple fresh charges currently before the courts.
Chief Operating Officer Hannah Dreaver said the organisation was appalled at the level of violence inspectors were encountering.
"We are sickened and frankly furious at these attacks," Ms Dreaver said.
"Puppies recorded crying out, small dogs allegedly slammed into furniture, witnesses reporting family pets being punched and kicked—this is outright cruelty, not discipline as some of the accused have claimed, and it is never acceptable.
"If you lash out at an animal, expect consequences. There is zero community tolerance for violence against animals – RSPCA WA agrees, and inspectors will prosecute perpetrators using their powers under the Animal Welfare Act 2002."
In December last year, a Swan View man was fined $4,000 and banned from owning an animal for two years after admitting to beating his pet dog, Archie.
Since then, charges have been laid in multiple alleged dog and puppy beatings.
They include a Melville man accused of beating his 2.5kg Chihuahua; a South West couple facing allegations of abusing, torturing, and killing their puppy; a Balga woman charged after CCTV captured 10 minutes of her puppy being beaten, dragged, and abused; a Yangebup man charged after RSPCA WA received an audio recording in which a five-month-puppy can be heard being beaten and crying out in distress; a second Yangebup man alleged to have beaten his puppy with a stick and punched him several times while out for a walk with his kids; and just last week, an Armadale man was arrested on charges of maliciously beating, abusing and tormenting his Staffy cross puppy on four occasions – starting when she was just eight weeks old.
Ms Dreaver said RSPCA WA inspectors, who already respond to thousands of animal cruelty complaints every year, were appalled at this spate of dog-beating cases.
"These dogs are utterly defenceless – all of them either very small, very young, or both.
"There is no excuse—none—for responding to frustration, anger or stress by lashing out at an animal. It shows a complete disregard for their welfare and their right to be safe in their own homes," she said.
"If you witness or hear suspected abuse, please report it. Your call can be the difference between ongoing cruelty and an animal finally being safe."
Report suspected cruelty 24/7 on 1300 CRUELTY (1300 278 358) or online at rspcawa.org.au.
