A 40-year-old man who beat his dog so badly it was left shaking and foaming at the mouth has been fined $5000 and banned from being in charge of any animal for five years.
Clayton Richard Lawrence was convicted in the Fremantle Magistrates Court on Friday for beating his seven-year-old Rottweiler, named Herpes, leaving him with several injuries including fractured ribs.
In August 2013, a witness confronted Lawrence after he saw him kicking the dog on a street corner in Perth's southern suburb Parmelia.
Lawrence then began to shout profanities at the dog before he kicked and dragged the animal along the ground, leaving it shaking and foaming at the mouth.
After Lawrence left the scene, the witness drove Herpes to a local vet clinic for treatment.
The vet found the dog had several injuries as a result of being kicked, including a very sensitive kidney and lower rib area, fractured ribs and breathing difficulties.
He also had bruised and swollen hocks and elbows, making it difficult for him to walk.
Herpes was transferred to a pound where he was collected by Lawrence's mother and remains in her care.
In an interview with an RSPCA inspector, Lawrence admitted he owned the dog and at the time of the incident he was annoyed at his girlfriend who he claimed had stolen from him.
RSPCA chief inspector Amanda Swift said people simply could not beat an animal because they were having a hard time in their personal lives.
"There is absolutely no excuse," she said.
"Those who we catch committing these deliberate acts of cruelty will find themselves at the wrong end of the law and can end up with a criminal conviction."
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