Tessie the dog was starved to death by her eastern suburbs owner.
Camera IconTessie the dog was starved to death by her eastern suburbs owner. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Woman from Perth’s eastern suburbs fined for starving her dog to death

Staff WriterEastern Reporter

A WOMAN from Perth’s eastern suburbs received fines in Midland Magistrates Court on April 19 for starving a dog, which resulted in the animal’s eventual death.

In May 2016, Tessie, a black and white female mixed breed dog, was rescued from a property in the eastern suburbs after a complaint was received by RSPCA WA Inspectors.

Tessie was visibly emaciated and covered in a paint-like substance when she arrived at the RSPCA  Animal Care Centre in Malaga.

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RSPCA WA vets examined her and began a treatment regime to return her to health.

When she showed little sign of improvement, she was transferred to an external vet for an ultrasound, which revealed a severe intestinal obstruction.

Due to complications with surgery and recovery, it was determined that the most humane course of action was to end her suffering.

The woman was fined $3500 and is prohibited from being in the care or control of a dog for ten years.

She is required to reimburse vet and court costs of $2296.81 and $119.35, respectively, in addition to the fine.

RSPCA WA chief executive David van Ooran described the suffering Tessie went through at the hands of her owner as “almost unspeakable”.

“We see some awful things in our line of work, but to see a dog this skinny shocked all of us,” he said.

“It is disturbing that a person could have so little regard for the welfare of another living creature.

“Thanks to members of the community for reporting Tessie’s owners – without that call, who knows how much longer Tessie would have suffered?

“This case should be a reminder to everyone that our pets rely on us absolutely for their wellbeing, which is as important as that of our children.”

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