A 70-year-old woman from Hilton has been convicted of animal cruelty after failing to provide veterinary treatment for her elderly dog Sunshine who was suffering from multiple serious and painful medical conditions over an extended period.
She has been fined $2,000 and banned from being in charge of an animal for one year.
Fremantle Magistrates Court heard RSPCA WA inspectors attended a Hilton property in August 2025 after receiving a cruelty report from WA Police regarding Sunshine, a white and tan terrier who was reported to be very unwell.
The inspectors saw Sunshine was breathing heavily, had significant hair loss and had a large open, bleeding growth beneath her ear, the size of a grapefruit. After seizing Sunshine due to suspected offences under Part 3 of the Animal Welfare Act 2002, inspectors also observed discharge from her eyes and nose and that she struggled to walk and appeared unsteady on her feet.
Sunshine was transported to an emergency veterinary clinic for immediate assessment and treatment.
Vets founds she had a large painful ulcerated facial mass, a large painful mammary mass, severe osteoarthritis affecting all joints, chronic dermatitis causing significant pain, muscle wastage, and respiratory issues.
The vet concluded Sunshine was suffering from prolonged, progressive and preventable medical conditions and that her pain and distress were significant and ongoing.
Due to the severity of her condition and poor prognosis, humane euthanasia was determined as the best welfare outcome for Sunshine. Postmortem testing confirmed both her facial and mammary masses were malignant and that she was suffering from chronic inflammation and a severe skin allergy.
The vet determined the diseases had been present for months to years.
A second accused in the matter, a 30-year-old woman who lived at the same Hilton property, was sentenced on 28 April 2026. She received a spent conviction, a $2,000 fine, and 12-month ban from being in charge of an animal. Both offenders were ordered to pay $1,277.58 in costs.
In sentencing the 70-year-old offender yesterday, Magistrate Tanya Watt said, “‘The inspectors did the right thing for Sunshine … who was suffering severely… a dog shouldn’t have to suffer unnecessary harm.”
RSPCA WA Inspector Manager Kylie Green said Sunshine endured prolonged and unnecessary suffering.
“Sunshine was suffering from multiple painful, advanced medical conditions that had clearly been developing over a long period of time,” she said.
“I know the inspector in this case was particularly touched by the extent of Sunshine’s prolonged suffering – she was such a sweet little thing who craved attention.
“It is neither morally or legally okay to leave an animal to suffer the way Sunshine did and I’m glad we were able to be her voice at the end.”
Both offenders were convicted under sections 19(1) and 19(3)(h) 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.
The RSPCA relies on the community to report incidents of suspected cruelty and neglect. Report cruelty on 1300 CRUELTY (1300 278 358) or via rspcawa.org.au.
