A 60-year-old man has been charged with animal cruelty after RSPCA inspectors discovered an operation to breed Labradors at his home in Bridgetown east of the Margaret River in Western Australia.
Inspectors confiscated 39 adults and Labrador puppies from the property, where they are believed to have lived in shocking conditions.
It is estimated that the male “earned” on the popularity of the breed, as a result of which he sold the puppies for about $ 5,000 each, without caring about their health or well-being.
A statement from RSPCA WA described “dirty, miserable conditions that smell of urine and feces.”
The dogs, which were reported to be living in complete neglect, had no fresh food or water.
“There were big piles of rubbish, there were a lot of dogs lying and fighting everywhere, and old dogs had tangled and dirty fur with feces in their fur,” the statement said.
A complaint from a member of the public who visited the property to buy a dog led to the fact that in January this year the alleged brutality was revealed.
“The inspector watched as the puppies hid in the wet puddles of urine as large dogs stood on them. Some of them were lethargic, did not react and did not show normal behavior, ”the statement reads.
“One was stuck by the side of the bed and one was drinking stagnant water from an open, broken sewer pipe.”
It has been found that many dogs are in poor health with a variety of ailments including ear and other infections, conjunctivitis, grass seeds, heavily tangled fur, weight problems and dental disease.
The veterinarian determined that some of them also suffered from significant psychological damage.
The man is charged with 28 counts of cruelty to animals, namely restricting or restraining dogs in a way that causes or may cause harm, and allowing dogs to cause harm that could be alleviated by taking reasonable steps.
The maximum penalty for each of the charges is a $ 50,000 fine and five years in prison.
On June 16, he will face the Manjipu magistrate’s court.
https://www.perthnow.com.au/news/man-charged-over-shocking-puppy-farm-c-6818559
