A 64-year-old man and his 28-year-old son have today pleaded guilty to animal cruelty and been fined a total of $12,000 after RSPCA WA inspectors seized an emaciated dog from their Stratton home.
The older man was fined $5,000, his son $7,000 – each was also banned from owning an animal for five years however the father has been allowed to keep a dog he already owns.
Midland Magistrates Court heard RSPCA WA inspectors attended the offenders' property in March after receiving a cruelty report in relation to an underweight dog.
Nobody appeared to be home, and the inspectors were unable to access the backyard. They looked over the fence from a neighbouring property and saw a 10-month-old American Staffy cross, later named Tiger by the RSPCA, surrounded by a build-up of rubbish and household items in large piles.
The inspectors could clearly see the outline of Tiger's hips, ribs, spine, and skull. His eyes were sunken and muscle wastage on his legs was clearly visible.
They climbed over the fence into the yard and saw there was no food available for Tiger and the only water available was stagnant and full of leaves and debris.
The inspectors seized Tiger and took him to an emergency vet who assessed him as having a guarded prognosis. He was kept overnight for "supportive care for severe malnourishment".
Further examination revealed Tiger had the lowest body condition score possible (1 out of 9) and was severely dehydrated and anaemic. He also had a heart murmur and multiple pressure sores – both linked to his emaciated condition.
When later interviewed by an RSPCA WA inspector, the younger offender claimed he had fed Tiger the day before and his body condition was "fine".
In just seven weeks of the RSPCA's care, Tiger gained 13.8kg and was deemed to have an ideal body condition. He continues to recover in care.
In sentencing, Magistrate Benjamin Tyers said, "This is very significant offending … it is sometimes said to be less serious because it is passive rather than deliberate, but that is just simply incorrect … On some level it is potentially worse because it is not a momentary lapse but instead neglect over a period of time. It was awful behaviour and significant neglect (and) the general public needs to be aware that you simply cannot treat animals this way."
RSPCA WA Inspector Manager Kylie Green said seeing a dog in such an emaciated state never got any easier.
"Poor Tiger wasn't even a year old when we rescued him. What a terrible start to life to be left in a yard full of rubbish, thirsty and ravenous with painful sores," she said.
"Animals can't fend for themselves and rely on us to provide the care they need. If you aren't prepared to do that, don't get a dog."
The offenders were convicted under sections 19(1) and 19(3)(d) of the Animal Welfare Act 2002. They were found to have been cruel to Tiger in that they didn't provide him sufficient food and water.
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.
