A 25-year-old man has been charged with animal cruelty, after RSPCA WA found his dog covered in blood, with a large, gaping wound on his chest.
An inspector attended the accused’s home in Withers, a suburb of Bunbury, on 25 January, accompanied by a local ranger.
She found a three-year-old Kangaroo crossbreed dog in a small wire cage at the back of the house.
He had a large wound on his chest which had been stapled shut but was bursting open and oozing blood.
The accused told RSPCA WA the injury had been inflicted by a kangaroo the night before while he was out hunting with the dog.
He admitted to stapling the wound closed himself without using pain relief and said he had done this on previous occasions when the dog was injured.
The inspector seized the dog, who was visibly limping and hunched over. She noticed his eye was also swollen and his body was covered in scratches and cuts.
He was taken to a local vet who advised that, due to the severity of his condition and injury, amputation of his front leg was the most humane option.
After surgery, the dog was taken to RSPCA WA’s Animal Care Centre in Malaga, where his recovery continues.
The alleged offender has been charged under sections 19 (1) and 19(3)(h) of the Animal Welfare Act 2002. RSPCA WA will allege he failed to alleviate harm to his dog by not seeking vet care for his injury.
The charge will be heard in the Bunbury Magistrates Court on 13 June.
The maximum penalty for a charge of animal cruelty is a $50,000 fine and five years in jail.
Report cruelty 24/7 on 1300 CRUELTY (1300 278 358) or online here.
