A 47-year-old Gosnells woman has been fined $2000 and prohibited from being in charge of an animal after leaving her five-month-old puppy alone in her backyard for long periods of time, without adequate food and water.
Armadale Magistrates Court on Monday heard an RSPCA inspector attended the woman’s home in September 2023 after receiving a report about the American bulldog puppy.
The caller said the puppy, which the RSPCA later named Dexter, had been alone in a backyard for most of August and no one had been at the house to feed or otherwise look after him for a week.
When she arrived at the property, the inspector saw the puppy was underweight with his hip bones and ribs protruding.
There was an excessive amount of rubbish in the yard; a plastic dog kennel was inaccessible as it was surrounded by rubbish and soiled nappies.
The inspector also noted there was no fresh water and no food available.
She gave Dexter food and water and made several attempts to reach the owner however was unsuccessful.
Dexter was taken to the RSPCA in Malaga where vets noted he was underweight.
He continues to recover in foster care.
Inspector manager Kylie Green condemned the offender’s disregard of Dexter’s life.
“It’s hard to imagine neglecting a puppy this young. It makes you wonder why she even got him in the first place,” she said.
“Dexter was left to fend for himself in a filthy backyard without food and water when his owner should have been caring for him.
“It is illegal to allow an animal to suffer. If you are struggling to care for your pet, reach out to family and friends, or call a rescue group such as the RSPCA.”
The offender was convicted under sections 19(1) and 19(3)(d) of the Animal Welfare Act 2002. She was found to have been cruel to an animal in that she did not provide the puppy with proper and sufficient food and water.
The maximum penalty 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.
