Dog Euthanased By Rspca - Owners Prosecuted

[Fit for a King]

http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/dog-put-down-due-to-open-wounds-overgrown-nails-20130702-2p8lm.html

A family who owned an emaciated dog with matted fur, an open wound, and overgrown nails that were so long they had curled more than 360 degrees has been fined for animal cruelty.

A 72-year-old man, his wife and daughter were fined $5000 each and permanently prohibited from owning a domestic animal when the matter was in the Fremantle Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

Giovanni Bassi, Maria Bassi and Julie Bassi of White Gum Valley were charged with being the persons in charge of an animal that suffered harm which could have been alleviated by the taking of reasonable steps.

Bindi's owners have been banned from owning any more pets.

The charges were in relation to the care of their seven-year-old female Maltese shih tzu cross dog, named Bindi.

Advertisement The family home was visited by an RSPCA inspector on May 10, 2012 in response to a cruelty complaint.

The inspector observed the small dog to be in a poor condition with badly matted fur and an open wound on her front right leg.

Bindi was surrendered and taken to RSPCA's Malaga headquarters for veterinary examination.

She had to be sedated to alleviate pain prior to further examination.

After extensive examination, the dog was found to be blind, severely emaciated, with a poor body condition and osteoarthritis.

According to the RSPCA Bindi's nails were also overgrown to the extent that some curled more than 360 degrees, she had a flea infestation which had been present for months, if not years and there were odorous discharges from her ears and eyes.

The dog was euthanased on humane grounds.

In sentencing, Magistrate Lawrence said this was a serious example of animal cruelty.

RSPCA chief executive David van Ooran said RSPCA was pleased with today's outcome "in that it sends a strong message to the community that pet ownership is a serious responsibility."

Read more: http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/dog-put-down-due-to-open-wounds-overgrown-nails-20130702-2p8lm.html#ixzz2Xvt97iza