A 54-year-old man and two women, aged 49 and 25, have each been charged with 11 counts of animal cruelty and one charge of failing to comply with a direction notice from an RSPCA WA inspector.
The charges follow a cruelty complaint received earlier this year relating to several animals at the property.
The RSPCA WA inspector investigating the complaint seized 20 animals from their Gidgegannup property in March this year after an inspection revealed they were living in squalor, many with untreated medical conditions and without sufficient food and water.
The charges relate to a magpie, several goats, and two horses.
RSPCA WA will allege that the animals were subject to cruelty for some time.
The juvenile magpie was found inside a small cage with inadequate food and water and a ball of kangaroo meat which appeared to be rotting. Vet examinations revealed the bird was suffering from a range of conditions due to confinement and neglect and was humanely euthanised.
Several goats seized from the property were also found to be suffering from a range of health conditions including overgrown hooves, lameness, diarrhoea, and infections. It is also alleged a Shetland stallion and standardbred gelding did not have sufficient access to food and were suffering from medical conditions.
The goats and horses are recovering in RSPCA WA’s care. The RSPCA WA inspector who attended the property had earlier issued a direction notice directing the three accused to provide proper and sufficient food at all times to the horses located on the property.
RSPCA WA will allege the accused did not comply with this direction.
The accused each face 11 charges under sections 19(1) and one charge under 47(3) of the Animal Welfare Act 2002. The maximum penalty for animal cruelty is a $50,000 fine and five years in prison and $20,000 and one year in prison for failing to comply with a direction notice. The matter will be allocated to a trial date in Midland Magistrates Court on 7 October 2024.
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.
