Yangebup man charged with animal cruelty after RSPCA receives recording of puppy allegedly being beaten

A 24-year-old Yangebup man has been charged with animal cruelty after RSPCA WA received a recording in which a puppy can be heard allegedly being beaten. RSPCA WA has identified the puppy, who can be heard repetitively and loudly yelping and crying out on the audio recording, as a five-month-old female bull mastiff cross who lived at the accused’s address. RSPCA WA will allege the accused can be heard repeatedly yelling loudly and striking the puppy in the recording made in May. The puppy was seized and a vet examination revealed she had thoracic spinal pain and bruising which were consistent with trauma. She remains in RSPCA WA’s care. The accused has denied beating the puppy, telling inspectors he was just patting her while telling her off. He has been charged under sections 19(1) and 19(2)(a) of the Animal Welfare Act 2002. RSPCA WA will allege he was cruel to the puppy by maliciously beating and otherwise ill-treating her. He is scheduled to appear in Fremantle Magistrates Court on September 15. The maximum penalty for a conviction of animal cruelty is a $50,000 fine and five years in prison. The RSPCA relies on the community to report incidents of suspected cruelty and neglect. Report cruelty on 1300 CRUELTY (1300 278 358) or at rspcawa.org.au.