A 33-year-old Cooloongup woman has been fined $4000 and banned from owning an animal for three years after starving her two Rottweilers.
The woman pleaded guilty in the Rockingham Magistrates Court earlier this week to not providing enough food and water to her dogs, Arlo and Memphis.
The woman was reported to RSPCA WA by a Port Kennedy vet in April 2023 after they had to humanely euthanise her four-year-old Rottweiler, Memphis, when he was brought in for a consultation.
The vet report stated Memphis was unable to move, his bones were visible, he was cold to touch and had white gums.
He was also covered in flees to the point where you could not see some areas of his skin.
The offender explained Memphis was not being fed enough due to her financial constraints but said she had been feeding him twice a day.
An inspector attended the woman’s home and examined her other Rottweiler, six-year-old Arlo, and noted he was very underweight, had pale gums, and was also covered in fleas.
The offender surrendered him to RSPCA WA and he was transported to Perth Vet Emergency for immediate assessment.
Arlo was severely underweight. PIC: RSPCA WA
A vet examination of Arlo revealed he had a body condition score of 2/9 (with 4-5/9 being considered ideal), was suffering from mild to moderate dehydration, and was moderately anaemic due to the heavy flea infestation.
Arlo was treated at the RSPCA WA’s Animal Care Centre in Malaga where he gained 7.4kg in nine weeks after being placed on a feeding regime.
Arlo was severely underweight. PIC: RSPCA WA
He was adopted a few months later.
In sentencing, Magistrate Steven Malley said the offending conduct was “appalling” and reminded the offender owning a dog means accepting the “responsibility to care for them”.
RSPCA WA Inspector Manager Kylie Green said Memphis’ condition was one of the worst she had ever seen.
“The offender had a responsibility to not only feed her dogs but also seek vet care for their poor conditions and flea burden but she ultimately failed them,” she said.
“We know times are tough for lots of people at the moment but there are so many ways to seek help such as asking family, looking in online groups and forums for free items, coming along to our community outreach days, or reaching out to shelters for any help they might be able to provide.”
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
Arlo after being put on a feeding regime. PIC: RSPCA WA
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