Dawesville man charged after allegedly leaving his elderly Great Dane to suffer painful conditions

A 43-year-old Dawesville man is due to front the Mandurah Magistrates Court next month after allegedly allowing his elderly Great Dane to suffer a range of painful medical conditions without treatment.

RSPCA WA received a cruelty report in March 2024 about a "very skinny dog" at a home in Falcon, where the accused lived at the time.

An inspector attended the property, describing the dog as a "skeleton".

She was first unresponsive but did eventually stand however was very unsteady on her feet.

The Great Dane was seized and a vet examination revealed she was severely emaciated, dehydrated, covered in fleas, had an ear infection, 
painful arthritis affecting her ability to walk, and multiple untreated skin lumps. 

Further testing showed she was also suffering from megaesophagus, a disease that prevents food from moving properly to the stomach, recurrent pneumonia, severe stomach swelling, masses on her spleen and colon, and changes to her heart and lungs consistent with dehydration and long-term poor health. 

Due to the severity and impact of these conditions on the dog’s quality of life, and her poor prognosis, she was humanely euthanised.  

The accused has been charged under sections 19(1) and 19(3)(h) of the Animal Welfare Act 2002.  

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

The RSPCA relies on the community to report incidents of suspected cruelty and neglect.

Report cruelty on 1300 CRUELTY (1300 278 358) or at rspcawa.org.au.