Woman fined $5000 for Narrogin animal cruelty after pet dog left without food and water for 12 days

A 40-year-old woman has been fined $5000 for leaving her pet dog in the yard of her Narrogin home without food or water for at least 12 days while she was in Perth.

The woman was sentenced over a breach of the Animal Welfare Act in Narrogin’s Magistrate Court on Tuesday after being convicted in her absence.

The court was told she abandoned her bull mastiff during a trip to Perth, leaving him in the yard of her property without sufficient food or water.

Local rangers found the one-year-old, underweight dog in the yard of the property when responding to a report of an abandoned dog on May 28.

The RSPCA tracked down the owner who said she was in Perth and would not be returning to Narrogin until June 2.

The woman admitted that the dog, named Bull, was hers and that she had owned him since he was a puppy.

She refused to surrender the dog to the RSPCA and failed to return to the property by June 9 when Bull was able to be legally seized.

Local rangers brought food and water to the Bull in the meantime, then seized him and took him to the RSPCA Animal Care Centre in Perth.

RSPCA inspector manager Kylie Green said it was unthinkable that people could leave their pets to fend for themselves.

“It is not OK under any circumstances to abandon your animals,” she said.

“If Bull hadn’t been reported, he would almost certainly have died from thirst and hunger.

“It’s even more baffling the offender didn’t do the right thing and surrender Bull to the RSPCA on one of the many occasions the inspector made that suggestion.

“She was still happy to just leave him there.”

Ms Green said this was the time of year RSPCA received more reports of abandoned pets.

“Please, if you’re heading off over the summer and not taking your pets with you, make sure arrangements are in place for your animals to be looked after properly, preferably by a pet sitter or reputable boarding facility,” she said.

Bull has been forfeited to the Crown and remains in the care of RSPCA in Perth, while his former owner has moved to the South West.

Report cruelty by contacting RSPCA on 1300 278 358 or at rspcawa.org.au