A WA couple has been banned from owning a pet for five years and fined thousands after cruelly neglecting their dog that was suffering from severe allergies because “vet bills can be expensive”.
The Port Kennedy husband and wife were fined $5000 after pleading guilty in the Rockingham Magistrates Court on Friday to leaving their four-year-old dog, Ella, to suffer from chronic allergy-related conditions, not once getting professional treatment for their pet.
In sentencing, Magistrate Anne Longden told the 40-year-old man and 39-year-old woman it was clear their dog was suffering.
RSPCA WA inspectors went to the couple’s home in March 2022 after receiving a cruelty report about a brindle and white female American Staffy at the property.
They found Ella in a yard surrounded by faeces, scratching incessantly, with her ears emitting a potent smell. The inspector reported Ella had numerous signs of severe allergies including several patches of missing fur, raised lumps, and thickened, cracked, flaking skin.
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The male offender told inspectors the yard hadn’t been cleared of faeces in around six weeks because he worked FIFO and his wife “did not do well with dog faeces”. He said Ella had suffered from allergies her whole life but had never been taken to a vet to treat them because “vet bills can be expensive”, but they had tried over-the-counter skin treatments.
The male accused surrendered Ella to the RSPCA.
A vet examination noted both her ears were infected, she had a flea infestation, severe and chronic generalised skin disease, conjunctivitis, alopecia and other allergy-related issues.
RSPCA WA inspector manager Kylie Green said Ella was in a “real state” when she arrived.
“To see her suffering unnecessarily like that and to hear she’d had untreated allergies her whole life is quite frankly, heartbreaking,” she said.
“I know vet bills can be expensive, but there is no excuse to let an animal suffer. Reach out to friends, family or rescue groups or discuss a payment plan with your vet.”
Green said despite her chronic allergies, Ella was a sweetheart who “absolutely loved everybody” and had since been rehabilitated and adopted.
The offenders were convicted under the Animal Welfare Act 2002. They were found to have been cruel to an animal in that they allowed the dog to suffer harm that could have been alleviated by taking reasonable steps.
The maximum penalty is a $50,000 fine and five years in prison.
Report cruelty 24/7 on 1300 CRUELTY (1300 278 358) or at rspcawa.org.au.
