IN what was described as a “horrifying act” by the RSPCA, a Dawesville man ran over his dog because it was old and kept barking at night.
Bradley George Starcevich (30) pleaded guilty to the ill-treatment of an animal in Mandurah Magistrates Court on Friday.
Police prosecutor Senior Constable Mick Fallows said Starcevich took the dog, a shih-tzu cross, out in his vehicle to some bush in Coodanup on June 7.
“The accused deliberately ran over the dog with his vehicle causing crushing and mutilation injuries to the head and chest area until he believed the dog was dead,” he said.
“The accused hid the dog under some foliage nearby.
“A member of the public witnessed the accused taking the dog out of the vehicle and burying it.
“He thought the dog may still be breathing and called police.”
The court was told the dog had not moved away from the vehicle because it was deaf and blind.
The dog sustained “massive jaw and facial injuries.”
Sen Const Fallows said when questioned by police, Starcevich said the dog was old and kept barking at night.
Starcevich explained to police that he did not want to upset his neighbours so the dog “had to go.”
Starcevich declined to comment on the incident in court.
He was fined $2500 and permanently banned from owning a dog.
The RSPCA was awarded $1017 in autopsy costs.
Outside court, an RSPCA inspector said it was an excellent result.
“It sends a clear message that this was an unacceptable way to euthanise a dog,” she said.
RSPCA spokesperson Tim Mayne said the incident had been disturbing for the police and rangers who attended the incident.