Man fined $5000 for dog neglect
A 32-year-old-man has been fined $5000 and prohibited from owning an animal for five years after being convicted of neglecting his 12-year-old Boxer-cross dog, Sas.
The Gosnells man appeared in Armadale Magistrates Court today after the RSPCA brought a charge of neglect.
RSPCA officers responded to a complaint about an emaciated dog and attended the man’s home on September 20, 2012.
They seized the dog, Sas, and she was taken for urgent veterinary treatment.
The treating vet determined that Sas had diabetes which had been left untreated.
Sas was extremely emaciated; with severe muscle wastage, mammary tumours, loss of vision in one eye, cataracts, alopecia and other secondary conditions related to the untreated diabetes.
The man told the inspector that he was aware that Sas had diabetes however had not sought veterinary treatment.
Sas had to be euthanized because she had been left with irreversible damage.
Outside court, RSPCA chief inspector Amanda Swift said dogs required regular veterinary visits, particularly older dogs.
“Old age is not an excuse for letting your animal suffer,” she said.
“Animals still can have a happy and healthy life in their senior years.”
