David Wade Thorne: Withers man convicted of stapling pet dog’s wound without pain relief after trial no-show

A Withers man whose dog had to have its leg amputated after being found with an oozing chest wound stapled shut has been convicted in his absence after failing to appear in court. David Wade Thorne had been due to appear in Bunbury Magistrates Court on Friday to face trial accused of failing to take reasonable steps to prevent an animal suffering harm. The charges were laid after an RSPCA inspector attended the 26-year-old man’s home after several animal cruelty reports, where they found his pet dog Jacko with an open chest wound that had been stapled together on January 25 last year. The inspector, accompanied by a local ranger, found the three-year-old kangaroo crossbreed dog in a small wire cage at the back of the house. The cage was hot to touch. The dog had a large wound on its chest which had been stapled shut, but was bursting open and oozing blood. Thorne told the inspector the injury had been inflicted by a kangaroo the night before, while he was out hunting with the dog. He admitted stapling the wound himself without giving pain relief. He also said he had done this on previous occasions when the dog was injured. The inspector seized Jacko, who was limping and hunched over, and took him to a local vet who advised that amputation of his right front leg was the most humane option. After surgery, Jacko was taken to RSPCA’s Animal Care Centre in Malaga, where his recovery continues. In a letter provided to the court, Thorne expressed remorse to the RSPCA, the community and “most importantly” his pet dog Jacko for the impact of his offending, giving Magistrate Michelle Harries the impression he wished to change his plea from not guilty to guilty. Despite Thorne seemingly acknowledging he would likely be convicted, he requested for the trial to be adjourned, claiming he was attending a funeral. But no written proof was provided to the court. In the letter, Thorne also claimed he did not realise his trial was set for February 3 until the day prior. Ms Harries and RSPCA inspector Ian Weldon both confirmed the trial date had been set back in November. The court was told that Thorne lives with a disability, which could affect the overall sentence. Ms Harries adjourned sentencing to Thursday to allow Thorne a further chance to attend court and provide material explaining his circumstances. In submissions, Mr Weldon told the court “a perfectly healthy dog lost its leg for no good reason” and described Thorne’s conduct as “callous” and “cruel”.