A couple from Eden Hill have been charged with animal cruelty, after failing to seek vet treatment for their dog’s badly broken leg.
The 35-year-old woman and 27-year-old man have both been charged with cruelty, while the man is also accused of threatening and abusing an inspector.
RSPCA WA attended their home on 12 January, after a report alleging a dog had been injured during repeated beatings at the address.
The inspector sighted a brown and white American Staffordshire Bull Terrier, who was struggling to walk with her left hind leg ‘hanging limp’.
During questioning, the female accused admitted the dog’s leg had been sore for ‘about three weeks’, and that the couple had not sought vet treatment. She said she thought the dog had injured herself in the backyard, or during rough play with another dog, and she did not know if anyone had been violent to the dog.
The male offender then demanded to know who had made the cruelty report, and when the RSPCA WA inspector refused to say, he began to verbally abuse and make physical threats of violence towards her.
The inspector left the property and returned later that day with police to seize the dog.
At the Animal Care Centre in Malaga, RSPCA WA vets determined that the dog’s broken leg had not occurred recently. The leg had already begun to heal incorrectly and attempting to repair would have been extremely difficult with a poor prognosis. Amputation was determined as the best option to alleviate ongoing pain and suffering. The dog has made a full recovery and remains in foster care with RSPCA WA.
The alleged offenders have been charged under sections 19 (1) and 19(3)(h) of the Animal Welfare Act 2002. RSPCA WA will allege that they failed to alleviate harm to the dog by not seeking vet care for her severely displaced femoral facture. The male offender is also charged under section 77(a) of the Act. It will be alleged that he obstructed the RSPCA WA inspector by abusing and threatening her.
The charges will be heard in Midland Magistrates Court on 23 May.
The maximum penalty for an animal cruelty charge is a $50,000 fine and five years in prison.
The maximum penalty for obstructing an inspector is a $20,000 fine and one year in prison.
Report cruelty 24/7 on 1300 CRUELTY (1300 278 358) or online here.
