Cooloongup man Jason Maurice Browne fined and banned from owning dogs after shocking neglect

A man who left his pet dog without food and clean water in a yard strewn with faeces and rubbish has been fined and banned from owning dogs for two years. The brindle and white Staffordshire bull terrier, named Harvey by RSPCA rangers who saved him, weighed just 15.9kg and had wasted away to skin and bones when he was rescued in March. Owner Jason Maurice Browne, 38, of Cooloongup, pleaded guilty to not providing sufficient food to the dog in Rockingham Magistrate’s Court on Monday. RSPCA lawyer Brenton Panzich told the court the organisation had received a call about a dog who had “protruding” bones living in a filthy backyard before sending an inspector to check on March 16. The inspector found the dog with clearly visible rib bones and spinal vertebrae. There was no food in sight, and his water bucket was dirty. Mr Panzich said the inspector fed Harvey and replaced the water before leaving. The RSPCA returned on March 21 and seized the dog after finding there had been no change. Browne, who represented himself, said he had been dealing with “depression” as well as “financial issues” and “sometimes forgot” to feed his dog. “I was considering giving him away because I couldn’t afford to care for him,” he told the court. “I take full responsibility.” Magistrate Joanne Andretich labelled Harvey’s treatment as “extremely cruel”. “People who treat dogs like you did don’t deserve to have them,” she said. Browne was handed a $4000 fine, ordered to pay costs and $529 in compensation to the RSPCA for Harvey’s treatments. Harvey was also taken away from Browne permanently. Outside court Browne said he was glad Harvey would go to a “good home” and thought the sentence was “fair”. RSPCA executive manager for animal and enforcement operations Hannah Dreaver said it was a classic case of unnecessary neglect. “Providing your animals with enough food and water and providing them with a suitable environment to live in along with necessary vet care is the absolute minimum people should do,” she said. “Harvey was left seemingly forgotten on the concrete floor of a carport, hungry and thirsty and surrounded by rubbish and filth. “Harvey has become a bit of an office favourite in his time with us. He is affectionate, engaging and a little cheeky. It’s heartbreaking to think of him so hungry and ignored.” To report animal cruelty, you can contact the RSPCA on 1300 CRUELTY (1300 278 358) or at rspcawa.org.au.