A 47-year-old Gosnells woman has been charged with animal cruelty after allegedly leaving her five-month-old puppy alone in her backyard for long periods of time, without adequate food and water.
An RSPCA inspector attended the woman’s home in September 2023 after receiving a report of an American bulldog puppy that had been alone in a backyard for most of August, and who hadn’t been attended to by anyone for a week.
The inspector observed the puppy was underweight with visible hip and rib bones.
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.
The inspector gave the puppy food and water and made several attempts to reach the owner however was unsuccessful.
The puppy was seized and taken to the RSPCA in Malaga where vets noted he was underweight.
He continues to recover in foster care.
The accused has been charged under sections 19(1) and 19(3)(d) of the Animal Welfare Act 2002.
RSPCA WA will allege she was cruel to an animal in that she did not provide the puppy with sufficient food and water.
The maximum penalty is a $50,000 fine and five years in prison.
The charge will be heard in Armadale Magistrates Court on February 2.
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
