A West Australian couple say the RSPCA has destroyed their lives by accusing them of multiple animal cruelty charges - only to have them dropped in court.
Steven Conway, 34, said he trusted a friend to feed and water his dogs and pets while he went on a two-week fishing trip.
But instead he returned to find an RSPCA investigation had been launched after one died and others were dehydrated in the peak summer heat in December 2014.
The RSPCA permanently removed the animals and took legal action against Mr Conway and his partner Kylie Ann Hall, 28, who had briefly separated from her partner and was living with family at the time.
Lawyers acting for the RSPCA discontinued the charges on Friday in Perth Magistrates Court.
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The emotional father-of-five said despite the charges finally being dropped, his family's lives had already been ruined.
"I trusted my friend and he lied to me," Mr Conway told AAP.
"I'm an animal lover and I was devastated at what happened to my dogs.
"Ever since these charges, we've been vilified by the community and our neighbours.
"I've received hundreds of death threats and we've had to move far away.
"There are times when I don't leave the house because I'm too afraid."
Chad Silver, representing Mr Conway, said the RSPCA failed in their duty to properly investigate the innocent pair before bringing charges against them.
RSPCA WA chief inspector Amanda Swift said inspectors carried out an appropriate investigation in prosecuting Mr Conway and Ms Hall as the owners of the animals.
"In December 2015, a witness substantially changed his previous evidence and claimed he was responsible for the care of the animals at the time," she said.
"Negotiations between RSPCA WA and Mr Conway led to the wilful surrender of the two dogs to RSPCA WA and the charges being dropped."
