A Port Kennedy man has been charged with animal cruelty after allegedly failing to seek vet care for his Labrador who was suffering multiple painful conditions including cancer.
The 11-year-old dog was picked up as a stray and taken to Baldivis Vet Hospital in October last year.
The inspector contacted the dog’s owner who claimed she must have escaped his backyard during a storm.
He declined to surrender the yellow Lab to RSPCA WA, saying he owned and was responsible for her and her skin condition had started three months earlier.
The vet found the dog’s entire body was covered in crusty lumps and open, weeping ulcerated lesions.
The accused said he realised the lumps were tumours and he had been treating them with Betadine.
He also said he noticed the dog was bloated on her side but had not taken her to a vet in two years because she was old and there would be nothing the vet could do other than pain management.
An RSPCA inspector transported the dog to RSPCA WA where a vet examination determined she had a severe generalised skin disease covering the majority of her body, which was causing significant pain and discomfort.
She also had mild ear infections, painful osteoarthritis and spinal arthritis and incurable and infected lymphoma (cancer).
The dog was given pain relief in an attempt to manage her chronic pain but was ultimately humanely euthanised as her quality of life was deemed unacceptable.
The accused will face Rockingham Magistrates Court on February 10.
New mural unveiled at Austin Lakes Baptist College
MARC staff recognised at 2025 Royal Life Saving WA Bravery Awards
Hefty fines for local fisherman after catching pink snappers out of season
WATCH: Shocking footage captures youths hanging out of moving car in Secret Harbour, Golden Bay
Shire to leave whale carcass to rot on Preston Beach due to cost of removal
10-year-old boy charged over attempted armed robbery in Warnbro
Dawesville couple charged over alleged cruelty to sick, elderly dog
Homemade shotgun, firearm instruction manuals, OC spray seized from Greenfields home
2025 Telethon home in Madora Bay sells for record price