Pet-Abuse.Com - Animal Abuse Case Details: Hunting dog neglect, 8 found dead

Hunting dog neglect, 8 found dead
Serpentine, WA (AU)

Incident Date: Friday, May 5, 2006
Disposition: Open

Suspect(s) Unknown - We need your help!

Case Updates: 1 update(s) available

Case ID: 8477

Classification: Neglect / Abandonment

Animal: dog (non pit-bull)

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The RSPCA is investigating a serious case of animal cruelty at a Perth hunting club, with eight dogs found dead and another 15 caged in appalling conditions. Police raided the property in the semi-rural suburb of Serpentine on Friday afternoon following complaints of a foul smell coming from the club. They found the decomposing bodies of eight dogs and the rest of the pack housed in filthy conditions.

RSPCA spokeswoman Emma-Jane Morcombe said it appeared three of the dogs were shot about 24 hours before the police raid. Another five were found decomposing in an open pit on the property. The 15 surviving dogs were taken away by the RSPCA for veterinary checks and care.
Ms Morcombe said the RSPCA would apply to the courts to have the dogs permanently removed from the club. She said rotting carcasses littered the property and rotting meat was found in freezers that had been turned off.

The surviving dogs were in cages with concrete floors. They had no bedding or clean water, she said. "There was no bedding so some of the dogs had contracted sores and skin conditions. There was a build up of faeces and urine inside the kennels," Ms Morcombe said. She said investigations were continuing.

Club officials were expected to be formally interviewed later this week.

Case Updates

WANTED: Loving homes for eight cute canines that survived one of WA's worst cases of animal neglect.

The RSPCA is investigating last month's discovery of nine dead dogs and 15 maltreated hounds at the Perth Hunt Club in Serpentine.

Some of the dead dogs had been shot and the survivors were found in squalid conditions, locked in kennels with no bedding where urine and faeces had been allowed to build up.

A water tank was found full of putrid bore water and freezers containing meat were without power, leaving their contents to rot.

Hunt club members have been interviewed and RSPCA investigators expect to lay animal cruelty charges in weeks.

Of the 15 foxhounds found alive, three already have new homes and four are still being rehabilitated.

The remaining eight of the energetic tracking dogs � males Bugsy, Warrior, Malone, Mutley, Hartley and Prince and females Whisper and Maggie � are in the RSPCA's Malaga shelter awaiting adoption.

RSPCA spokeswoman Emma-Jane Morcombe said the dogs had suffered terribly, but they would still make good pets for a loving owner.

"At first, they had a blank look in their eyes, they were emotionless and quite stressed and scared and timid," Ms Morcombe said.

"But the transformation has been amazing. You can see the life in their eyes and they look so happy and healthy.

"They went through a terrible experience and they do have emotional scars. It will be hard work.

"But they've been assessed, they've got the tick of approval and they've passed behavioural tests.

"Their plight has pulled at a lot of heartstrings. The new owners will be giving them a second chance at life and that will be pretty rewarding."

The Hunt Club voluntarily handed over the dogs to the RSPCA after the Kings Rd property was raided.

Meanwhile, the Serpentine Jarrahdale Shire has revoked the club's licence to operate.

"The site has been cleaned up thoroughly and the Hunt Club won't be continuing on," shire president Denis Needham said.

Members of the Perth Hunt Club did not want to comment on the case while investigations were continuing.

Source: Sunday Times - June 11, 2006
Update posted on Jun 14, 2006 - 11:22PM

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Hunting dog neglect, 8 found deadSerpentine, WA (AU)

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Hunting dog neglect, 8 found dead
Serpentine, WA (AU)