Dog allegedly found starving by RSCPA in Cooloongup

A 38-year-old Cooloongup man was charged today with animal cruelty after the RSPCA allegedly found his dog starving to the point his eyes were sunken and his spine showing.

RSPCA alleges a male brindle and white Staffordshire bullterrier was reported to them in March by a concerned community member.

An inspector went to the owner’s home in Cooloongup and allegedly found the dog in “a very poor body condition with ribs, hips and spine visible.”

“There was no dog food in the immediate vicinity and the only water, located in a bucket, was dirty. He was living in poor conditions with a large amount of faeces and rubbish,” the RSPCA said.

The dog has been seized and remains in the care of the RSPCA.

During his stay at the Animal Care Centre in Malaga, the dog went from being “emaciated, with no palpable fat”, “dirty” and suffering “generalised muscle atrophy,” to now having gained about one third of his body weight and being returned to good health.

The RSPCA claims the dog’s poor condition was as a result of his owner failing to provide proper and sufficient food and water.

The owner will appear in Rockingham court next month.

The RSPCA has used the alleged neglect to remind the community to report cruelty to its 24/7 hotline by phoning 1300 CRUELTY (1300 278 358) or at rspcawa.org.au