A Perth woman has received a suspended jail sentence for animal cruelty after being filmed strangling her one-year-old puppy. Lani Beattie, 23, was seen in October of last year standing over her dog, Roxy, in the backyard of her Beckenham home.
A witness who observed the incident contacted police and the RSPCA WA, reporting that the puppy, a staffy-kelpie cross, yelped, screamed, choked, and struggled while a rope was around its neck. The witness also reportedly saw Beattie strangling Roxy with a second rope before suspending the puppy by its neck.
Beattie told police she was frustrated with Roxy for chewing her belongings and no longer wanted the dog. Veterinary examinations revealed Roxy suffered bruising, swelling, and bleeding in her right eye, along with behavior consistent with psychological harm.
Roxy has since recovered and been rehomed by RSPCA WA.
During a court appearance, the RSPCA WA prosecutor described the abuse as 'wicked' and 'sustained.' Magistrate Michelle Harries characterized Beattie's behavior as 'abhorrent' and 'very serious.'
Beattie was convicted of animal cruelty and sentenced to six months and 14 days in prison, a sentence that was suspended for 12 months, requiring supervision and program attendance. She has also been banned from owning or caring for animals for five years and ordered to pay over $1,600 to RSPCA WA.
Kylie Green, an RSPCA WA inspector manager, stated that even experienced inspectors were horrified by the abuse. She commented on the terror and pain Roxy must have experienced, adding that a one-year-old dog's natural tendency to chew when bored or not properly trained does not justify torturing an animal.