Max and Marley were found in a small enclosed area, with no visible food.
Camera IconMax and Marley were found in a small enclosed area, with no visible food. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Merriwa man fined for animal cruelty to dogs

Staff WriterNorth Coast Times

A MERRIWA man has been fined and banned from having dogs for 10 years after pleading guilty to two counts of animal cruelty.

Shane Troy Tilley was sentenced in Joondalup Magistrates Court yesterday on charges relating to his dogs, Max and Marley, which a RSPCA inspector seized in May 2017.

The man has been fined $4000 and is required to pay total costs of $10,773.60, including $7725.69 in court costs and $3047.91 in veterinary care costs.

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He is also prohibited from being in charge of any dog for 10 years.

Both dogs have been forfeited to the Crown, and will be rehomed. They have been in RSPCA care since May 2017 and have made a slow but full recovery.

Max on arrival at RSPCA Animal Care Centre in May 2017.
Camera IconMax on arrival at RSPCA Animal Care Centre in May 2017. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

“While we are pleased that Max and Marley’s owner has been held to account for what he has done to his dogs, it doesn’t remove the pain and suffering these dogs have been through,” RSPCA WA chief inspector Amanda Swift said.

“Max and Marley were particularly vulnerable as they relied solely on their owner to provide basic care and vet treatment, which could have alleviated their suffering considerably.

“This is a reminder to all pet owners that if you can’t provide for your pets, ask for help rather than subjecting them to unnecessary distress.

“Thanks to the tireless efforts of the foster carers, the vet team and the animal attendants at RSPCA WA for caring for Max and Marley, and contributing to their slow but successful recovery.”

Marley on arrival at RSPCA Animal Care Centre in May 2017.
Camera IconMarley on arrival at RSPCA Animal Care Centre in May 2017. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

In May 2017, an inspector responded to a report from a concerned member of the public that two dogs had been abandoned in a yard.

On arrival, the inspector found the two large mixed-breed dogs enclosed in a small area at the side of a house, with no visible food.

Both dogs appeared extremely skinny and were suffering from various other medical conditions that had apparently not been treated.

The area of the yard where the dogs were confined was covered in dog faeces.

Yard covered in faeces.
Camera IconYard covered in faeces. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

The inspector had to remove a fence panel in order to rescue the dogs, who were taken to the RSPCA Animal Care Centre in Malaga.

There, RSPCA veterinary surgeons examined them before starting treatment.

Both dogs were found to be severely emaciated with very low body scores.

Max had also suffered considerable loss of muscle tissue.

Medical examinations concluded that both dogs had been deprived of food for a number of weeks, subjecting them to unnecessary distress and discomfort.

A recent photo of Max, who has fully recovered.
Camera IconA recent photo of Max, who has fully recovered. Credit: Supplied/Supplied
A recent photo of Marley, fully recovered.
Camera IconA recent photo of Marley, fully recovered. Credit: Supplied/Supplied