Man Banned From Owning Pets for 10 Years After Bashing Dog. Credit - RSPCA New South Wales via Storyful0:51
Eastlakes man Grant Haggart, 46, was convicted in a Sydney court on August 15 of animal cruelty, after heartbreaking footage surfaced showing him kicking, punching and choking his dog after it stole a child’s ice cream and ran away from Haggart. In footage given to Storyful by the RSPCA New South Wales, Haggart can be seen hurting the dog in an elevator on March 7, 2017. The dog, a staffy named Arian, was subsequently adopted by a family from a council pound, before it was surrendered for behavioural issues. RSPCA said in a statement: “Arian underwent an extensive behavioural rehabilitation plan in care for two months, including being transferred to the external rehabilitation program at John Morony Correctional Complex. Unfortunately despite all attempts, Arian was ultimately deemed a safety risk for staff, inmates and potential adopters and as such was deemed unsuitable for rehoming by behavior experts and was humanely euthanised.” RSPCA Chief Inspector David O’Shannessy said: “This footage is very disturbing, and to think that anyone is capable of such a violent, unprovoked attack on an innocent animal is just beyond comprehension.” “RSPCA NSW works hard to ensure all abuse victims have the best chance at life after assault. Unfortunately the sad reality is, that is not always possible, which makes our job really difficult and often a heartbreaking one.” Haggart did not appear in court on August 15 but in his absence, was fined $5500 and was banned for 10 years from owning a pet. Credit: RSPCA New South Wales via Storyful
A WA dog owner received this disturbing note from a neighbour threatening to poison their pet. Picture: RSPCA WA/SuppliedSource:Supplied
THE RSPCA is warning people about dog baiting after a threatening letter was sent to a West Australian pet owner.
The organisation’s WA branch has shared the handwritten letter, which warns a local dog owner the author “will poison” their pet.
“You have NO idea how close we are to baiting your dog,” the scrawled note reads.
“You are the only people in the street who allow their dog to bark, let alone howl. It’s a horrible noise.”
The intimidating message goes on to make specific threats.
“One more morning like today and we will poison it. If we don’t do it, our neighbours will,” the neighbour says.
The RSPCA has issued a warning to pet owners after a spate of baiting incidents. Picture: RSPCA WA/SuppliedSource:Supplied
The disturbing threat follows a spate of baiting incidents in the Perth area this month.
According to RSPCA WA, there have been five separate baiting incidents since early September.
In one case, a dog was found bleeding to death in its backyard after ingesting deadly poison that was thrown over the garden fence, the organisation reported. The dog was rushed to a vet, but had to be euthanised.
In a warning to anyone thinking of harming an animal, RSPCA Chief Inspector Amanda Swift said baiting an animal was a serious criminal offence.
“The amount of suffering caused by baiting is severe, and those responsible will face significant penalties if caught,” Ms Swift said.
“Causing deliberate harm to an animal is not a solution. Even if the animal is the cause of the neighbourly dispute, it is not to blame and shouldn’t be punished in such a vicious and cruel way.
“There are other ways to resolve problems and baiting should never be an option.”
Ms Swift urged pet owners to “do what they can” to reduce the chance of having their pet targeted, and take action to improve their pet’s behaviour if it was causing a genuine problem for neighbours.
According to the Animal Welfare Act, intentionally or recklessly poisoning an animal is an offence that could attract penalties of up to $50,000 and five years in prison.
