A man who did not take him to the vet after being seriously injured after being hit by a car has been banned from owning another animal for five years.
Jason Allen Heelan, 47, was also ordered to pay thousands of dollars over the shocking animal cruelty case of four-month-old Staffordshire terrier Diamond.
The dog suffered serious injuries, including a fracture, after becoming trapped under the wheel of a car in 2023.
The court heard the RSPCA WA inspector visited a Perth address last October after receiving a report of animal cruelty.
The RSPCA inspector noticed that Diamond was having difficulty standing and his left hind leg was swollen. Western Australia reported.
“She was limping when encouraged to walk and was only able to take a few steps before lying down again,” a statement said.
“He also had open red wounds on the front of his head and thigh area.”
The court heard Heelan was at the property at the time and told the inspector that another man who lived there had taken Diamond to the vet and that his wounds had “virtually healed”.
After being hit by a car and pinned under the steering wheel, the four-month-old pup (pictured) suffered a “painful” pelvic fracture and other injuries.
The RSPCA inspector noticed Diamond was having difficulty standing and had a swollen left hind leg (pictured) as well as injuries to his head and leg.
“The inspector was told that the puppy was given painkillers on that initial visit to the vet, but there was no concern about possible bone fractures,” the RSPCA said.
RSPCA WA launched an investigation and found that an emergency vet only provided first aid to Diamond due to “the owner’s financial constraints”.
But the emergency vet gave the man “strict instructions” to take Diamond to his regular vet the next day.
The RSCPA issued verbal and written notices for the owner to take Diamond to a vet within 24 hours, a request which was ignored, the court heard.
When the police went to the property. Heelan claimed he couldn’t take Diamond to the vet because he had run away.
It was later discovered that Heelan was trying to hide Diamond from the RSPCA at another address, which he initially denied.
Diamond was later seized and taken to the RSPA Animal Care Centre, where she was found to be suffering from “a painful pelvic fracture”.
Heelan appeared at Perth Magistrates Court on Monday where he was found guilty of three charges relating to his cruel treatment of Diamond.
Diamond (pictured recently) recovered and returned to the family that originally raised her as a puppy.
In addition to a five-year ban, Heelan was ordered to pay more than $2,500 in court costs and an additional $1,000 fine for breaching a suspended prison order.
Diamond has since made a full recovery and been adopted by a loving family that was originally raising her.
Heelan had “seriously” let Diamond down, according to Inspector Kylie Green, RSPCA WA manager.
“Diamond was very young when this terrible experience happened to her and she was not given the care and dignity she deserved at that time,” he said.
