A 39-year-old woman from Redcliffe has been charged with failing to alleviate harm to her 14-week-old Rottweiler puppy.
A City of Belmont ranger discovered the puppy in April, suffering from a severe wound around its neck caused by an excessively tight collar.
RSPCA WA was then urgently alerted by the ranger about the puppy’s condition, which appeared to be serious, with an open, pus-filled laceration on its throat.
An RSPCA inspector attended the property, but the accused refused to allow them to see the dog.
When the inspector returned later with two police officers and found the accused was not home, an urgent warrant allowed them to enter the premises and seize the puppy for immediate care, transporting him to Perth Vet Emergency.
Upon arriving at the vet, it was discovered that the puppy’s collar was so small that it had begun to embed into its neck, creating a deep, open wound approximately two centimetres deep and ten centimetres long, with the vet assessing the pain score at 3 out of 4.
The Rottweiler puppy underwent emergency surgery to remove the collar, which revealed severe cellulitis, an infection, and a fever; however, he has since fully recovered in foster care.
The accused woman has been charged under three sections of the Animal Welfare Act 2002, with RSPCA WA alleging that she was cruel to the puppy, as the harm suffered could have been prevented with reasonable care.
She has also been charged with hindering the inspector.
The maximum penalty for animal cruelty is a $50,000 fine and five years in prison while hindering the inspector carries a maximum penalty of a $20,000 fine and one year of imprisonment.
The charges are set to be heard in the Perth Magistrates Court on November 8.
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of adjusting collars as puppies or other small animals grow to ensure their comfort and safety.
RSPCA WA relies on the community to report suspected cruelty or neglect; if you believe an animal is in distress, contact them at 1300 278 358 or visit rspcawa.org.au.
