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Cloverdale man accused of animal cruelty after allegedly kicking and punching his Staffordshire terrier

Justin BianchiniPerthNow - Southern

A Cloverdale man has been charged with animal cruelty after allegedly kicking, dragging and punching his Staffordshire terrier in three incidents in Kewdale and Belmont.

An RSPCA WA inspector seized the female dog in October last year after members of the public reported the incidents.

It will be alleged the 56-year-old accused forcefully kicked the dog in the stomach on Gabriel Street, Kewdale, before walking her across the road in front of oncoming tracking while kicking her backside.

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He is also accused of beating the dog in the backyard of a Kewdale property later the same day.

He was allegedly observed dragging and lifting the dog by her collar, throwing her on a couch, beating her in the lower back for three to four minutes with what appeared to be a broomstick, pinning her down and picking her up by the head before smashing her into the ground and then slapping her.

The man that evening allegedly punched the dog in the chest three times at the Belmont Forum Shopping Centre before kicking and dragging her across the carpark.

The dog was reportedly terrified and scared of the accused before someone intervened and told him to stop allegedly hurting her.

The accused allegedly yelled and swore at the person before whacking the dog with an open hand and punching her.

A vet check of the dog revealed she was exhibiting abnormal behaviour likely initiated by physical abuse.

The vet also believed the dog was likely to have suffered soft tissue injuries causing pain for several days.

The dog is recovering in RSPCA foster care.

The accused has been charged under the Animal Welfare Act.

The RSPCA will allege he was cruel to an animal in that he maliciously beat the dog.

The maximum penalty is a $50,000 fine and five years in prison.

The charge will be heard in Perth Magistrates Court on February 16.

People can report animal cruelty and neglect to 1300 278 358 or at rspcawa.org.au.