A 42-year-old woman has been fined $4000 and banned from owning animals for four years after leaving her cat locked in a room without food or water for at least a week.
The Fremantle Magistrates Court heard a WA Police officer was at the woman's home in Langford last year when he spotted the cat named John through a bedroom window.
The cat had sunken eyes with his spine, hips and ribs visible.
The officer reported John to the RSPCA.
An RSPCA inspector then went to the home and saw the cat through the bedroom window.
All the doors and windows were locked and a neighbour told the inspector no one had been at the house for two weeks.
The inspector obtained an emergency warrant and with the help of a locksmith they were able to enter the home.
Once inside the inspector found the cat had been locked in a bedroom where there was no food or water except for some dry instant noodles.
The inspector carried John to the kitchen so she could give him some water.
He was seized and taken to Baldivis Vet Hospital where he was found to be dehydrated.
John was then transferred to the RSPCA’s Animal Care Centre in Malaga where he received medical treatment.
John remains in the care of the RSPCA.
He has fully recovered and is enjoying life with a foster carer.
His weight has nearly doubled since his rescue.
Executive Manager Animal and Enforcement Operations Hannah Dreaver said it’s terrible to think how much John would have suffered without access to food and water for so long.
"Imagine being desperately hungry and thirsty for days on end but not being able to do anything about it," Hannah said.
"It is outright callousness to leave an animal to just slowly fade away which is exactly what would have happened if the police officer hadn’t reported what he saw.
"Our animals rely on us for everything. The absolute least we can do is make sure they have enough food and water."
Ms Dreaver thanked Baldivis Vet Hospital and WA Police for their assistance in this case.
The offender was also ordered to pay $1474.14 in costs.
John has made a full recovery. PIC: RSPCA WA
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