A 25-year-old Clarkson woman has been charged with animal cruelty, after allegedly throwing her dog off the top of a two-storey carpark.
The woman’s 22-year-old partner from Madeley, who was with her at the time, is charged with failing to seek vet care for the injured dog – a female Maltese shih-tzu.
The incident was captured on CCTV at Westfield Whitford City shopping centre on 7 April 2022 at 9.23am.
The dog fell around 9 metres and was found by a member of the public who rushed her to a nearby vet, thinking she’d been hit by a car.
The vet noted the dog was in a state of shock with multiple severe injuries and possible internal haemorrhage, brain injury and spinal/pelvic trauma.
The vet checked the dog’s microchip and contacted the female accused, who was listed as the dog’s owner.
At around 10am, the couple attended the vet to discuss the extent of the dog’s injuries and the cost of treatment. The female accused made the decision to euthanise the dog.
RSPCA WA is seeking a jail term for female accused. She is charged with ill-treatment of an animal under sections 19(1) and 19(2)(a) of the Animal Welfare Act 2002. The male accused is charged under sections 19(1) and 19(3)(h) of the Act.
The charges will be heard in Joondalup Magistrates Court on 4 August 2023.
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 24/7 on 1300 CRUELTY (1300 278 358) or at rspcawa.org.au
