A 55-year-old man has appeared in Armadale Magistrate’s Court following his arrest yesterday on four charges of animal cruelty.
The Armadale resident is accused of maliciously beating, abusing, tormenting and otherwise ill-treating his Staffy crossbreed puppy on four occasions between November 2024 and May 2025 – the first when she was eight weeks old.
RSPCA WA received a cruelty report about the alleged incidents on 27 May. Two inspectors attended the accused’s address that same morning and seized the puppy due to suspected offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2002.
A subsequent vet examination found the puppy had significant bruising on her head, tongue, neck, and ear canals and fractures at the base and right side of her skull.
She continues to recover in the RSPCA’s care.
Today, Magistrate Janie Gibbs stated that the allegations were very serious, and the accused was at risk of facing a term of imprisonment.
Bail was granted with conditions that meant that the accused was required to move from his current address, that he notifies RSPCA WA of his new address within 24 hours, and that he not acquire, be in control of, be in possession of, or be within 10 metres of any animal.
The accused has been charged 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.
He is scheduled to next appear in Armadale Magistrates Court on 24 October.
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.
