Probe over dog death

Authorities are investigating a case of animal cruelty after a dog was found drowned at the Wonnerup floodgates last week.

Graphic images posted to Facebook showed the dog’s body with what appeared to be a sledgehammer attached to a chain around its neck.

A spokeswoman for the RSPCA, the investigating body for animal cruelty cases, said the dog had been taken for a post-mortem and the organisation believed it may be a Rottweiler-cross.

“This is yet another case of horrific animal cruelty,” she said. “We urge anyone with information relating to this incident to please come forward.

“If anybody recognises the dog, saw anything suspicious, or has CCTV footage from the area, please share that information with us by calling our cruelty hotline on 1300 CRUELTY.”

The spokeswoman said members of the public had come forward with information and the investigation was ongoing.

“Any act of cruelty against animals is an offence punishable by law and there is no excuse whatsoever for cruel and malicious behaviour towards animals,” she said.

Cases of animal cruelty in WA can carry a penalty of up to $50,000 or five years imprisonment under the Animal Welfare Act 2002.

Animal rights activist group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals also en-couraged residents to come forward, offering a reward of up to $5000 for information leading to the identification and conviction of anyone who may have been responsible for the dog’s death.

PETA Australia associate director of campaigns Ashley Fruno said animal abusers were “cowards” and the organisation appealed for anyone with information to come forward.

A PETA spokeswoman said the group was also concerned the perpetrator was still in the community.

The spokeswoman said people who abused animals rarely did so once and only one per cent of such offenders had no other convictions.