Albany woman convicted of animal cruelty over dead dog

WARNING: DISTRESSING CONTENT An Albany woman has been banned from having pets for a decade after RSPCA inspectors found her dog dead during a raid of her home.

The 27-year-old from McKail was sentenced yesterday at Albany Magistrates Court, where she was fined $3500 and ordered to pay legal costs of $941.

The animal cruelty charge related to her eight-year-old mastiff cross Dharma, who was found dead when RSPCA inspectors searched her property.

The RSPCA obtained a search warrant and a warrant to seize a pet dog after a member of the public reported their concerns about Dharma’s condition.

The McKail woman initially denied having a dog, but her mastiff cross was found dead, partially hidden under a pile of laundry.

An autopsy show Dharma had suffered from emaciation, bone marrow atrophy, pancreatic atrophy and an infected penis.

He had also suffered from suspected pneumonia, which could have been caused by starvation.

He had a body score of one out of nine.

RSPCA WA chief inspector Amanda Swift said Dharma’s final days would have been “torturous”.

“It is inexcusable to let your family pet suffer so badly like poor Dharma, and to not seek medical help for obvious suffering,” she said.

“This is a timely reminder to people to always ask for assistance. Nobody should ever let their pets down in this way — they rely on you for their every need.

“And if you see an animal that you think could be suffering, please report it immediately.”

Cruelty reports can be made to the RSPCA Cruelty Hotline on 1300 CRUELTY (278 358).