A woman has been convicted of attempted animal cruelty after attempting to hide illegal drugs in her dog’s body. This incident occurred in February 2024, when the Western Australia Police stopped her vehicle outside a shopping centre in Joondalup. Officers observed the driver acting suspiciously, leading them to search both her and her car under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1981.
During the search, police witnessed the woman attempting to insert a small package into her dog’s anus. The package contained approximately 2 grams of methylamphetamine, which was subsequently recovered by the officers. Following this alarming discovery, the police reported the incident to RSPCA WA, which took immediate action to seize the dog, named Busta.
RSPCA Response and Animal Welfare Concerns
The case prompted RSPCA WA to express serious concerns about the offender’s actions. According to Kylie Green, Inspector Manager at RSPCA WA, the woman was fully aware of Busta’s health issues, which included severely swollen, infected, and painful anal glands. Green condemned the woman’s behavior, stating,
“The offender knew Busta was in pain and suffering from an infection and that her actions could have caused him more suffering. Her actions are incomprehensible.”
RSPCA WA highlighted that such blatant disregard for an animal’s well-being represents a troubling trend in animal cruelty cases. Green expressed relief that justice was served, noting that while they see various forms of neglect and cruelty, this specific case was particularly shocking.
Busta has since recovered in the care of RSPCA WA and has been successfully adopted into a new home. The woman was convicted under sections 19(1) and 19(2)(e) of the Animal Welfare Act 2002, which carries a maximum penalty of a $50,000 fine and up to five years in prison for animal cruelty offenses.
Community Role in Reporting Animal Cruelty
RSPCA WA continues to advocate for community involvement in reporting suspected cases of animal cruelty and neglect. They encourage individuals to contact their hotline at 1300 CRUELTY (1300 278 358) or visit their website at rspcawa.org.au to report any incidents. The organization relies on the vigilance of the public to help protect vulnerable animals and ensure justice is served in cases of cruelty.
