A pet owner has been heavily fined for animal cruelty after making a series of bizarre claims about his bull terrier’s open wounds, including that the dog turned “into a zombie and started eating itself”.
The 27-year-old man from Usher, south of Bunbury in Western Australia, was found guilty in Bunbury Magistrates Court on September 19 of cruelty towards his male American Staffordshire bull terrier, Blaze.
The dog’s terrible condition was discovered after RSPCA WA inspectors attended the man’s property in April in response to reports that the canine was suffering from “significant open wounds to its back, neck, shoulders and head”.
In a statement, RSPCA WA said the man gave “conflicting and confusing accounts” when an inspector asked him how the dog was injured.
“Among the possible reasons for his injuries, the offender suggested that he could have been in a dog fight, he could have chewed his fur, someone could have hit him or he could have turned into a zombie and started eating himself,” he said. saying.
Officers took Blaze to an animal hospital where veterinarians discovered wounds on his neck and back “consistent with third-degree burns” that were 10 to 14 days old.
A follow-up examination found that his injuries were consistent with those from a dog fight, although the veterinarian could not rule out burns.
A wound was also found to be infected with debris underneath.
The 27-year-old Usher man was found guilty at Bunbury Magistrates Court of cruelty towards his male American Staffordshire bull terrier, Blaze (pictured).
Magistrate Stephen Butcher said the offender’s reasons for Blaze’s injuries were “internally inconsistent and implausible”, he reported. West.
“If it weren’t so bad, it would be ridiculous for me to think that Blaze turned into a zombie and started eating himself,” he continued.
“(It’s) clear as the nose on my face that anyone can open their eyes and see the wounds that make lies more implausible.”
RSPCA WA inspector Kylie Green said it was obvious the dog was in pain.
“Blaze needed veterinary care for his infected wounds and it is blatant cruelty to have denied him that,” he said.
Blaze has since recovered in the care of RSPCA WA and is looking for a new home.
The magistrate found that the man allowed Blaze to suffer harm that could have been alleviated by taking reasonable measures, such as seeing a veterinarian.
In a statement, RSPCA WA said the man gave “conflicting and confusing accounts” when an inspector asked him how the dog’s injuries occurred.
The man was fined $5,000 and ordered to pay $1,089 in costs.
He was also banned from being in charge of or owning animals for five years.
To report suspected incidents of animal cruelty or neglect, contact the RSPCA on 1300 CRUELTY (1300 278 358) or online.