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Helena Valley couple charged with animal cruelty after French Mastiff dog dies from emaciation, dehydration

Brianna DuganThe West Australian
The Helena Valley pair came into the spotlight after their French Mastiff was found ‘unresponsive’ and in a ‘very poor body condition’ by an RSPCA inspector last year.
Camera IconThe Helena Valley pair came into the spotlight after their French Mastiff was found ‘unresponsive’ and in a ‘very poor body condition’ by an RSPCA inspector last year.

A couple has been charged with animal cruelty after their three-year-old French Mastiff died from dehydration and emaciation last year.

The Helena Valley pair, a 34-year-old woman and a 43-year-old man, were charged after their dog was found “unresponsive” and in a “very poor body condition” by an RSPCA inspector in June, 2020.

Aspokesperson for the animal group said the dog’s “eyes were sunken, his head was jerking and his tongue was blue” and that he had been “suffering for a considerable amount of time”.

The dog was taken to a nearby vet where it died from it injuries soon after arriving.

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“A veterinary examination of the dog revealed he was severely emaciated with extensive muscle wastage. He was significantly dehydrated which was likely due to a combination of renal dysfunction and restricted access to drinking water,” the RSPCA spokesperson said.

The examination also showed the dog had physical abnormalities present since birth, as well as a severe case of a sunken breastbone which caused immense suffering for the French Mastiff as well as weight loss.

“He had grade three dental disease with oral pain which could have been treated. He had infections in both ears and a urinary tract infection. He also had a dislocated hip join likely because of juvenile hip dysplasia, which would have been present for several months to years,” the spokesperson said.

The RSPCA alleges the couple did not provide their dog with sufficient drinking water, as well as failing to alleviate harm suffered by the dog because they didn’t provide adequate vet care for his many health issues.

The couple have been charged with animal cruelty under the Animal Welfare Act of 2002 and are expected to appear in Midland Magistrates Court on July 23.

Animal cruelty can be reported 24/7 on 1300 278 358 or at www.rspca.org.au.

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