Perth man banned from owning animals after cruel treatment of his dogs

AAPThe West Australian

A Perth man has been fined and banned from owning animals for 10 years after being convicted over the cruel treatment of his dogs, which had to be destroyed.

Christopher Lee Gleich, 44, pleaded guilty to animal cruelty charges, including the neglect of his two elderly dogs.

Gleich had initially denied that Scooby, a male Kelpie cross and Coda, a male Shepherd cross belonged to him when they were found in very poor condition at his Gosnells property, according to evidence from RSPCA inspectors provided to Armadale Magistrates Court.

After claiming the dogs had wandered onto his property, Gleich later admitted during investigations that the dogs were in fact his.

The dogs were both visibly emaciated and suffering from severe skin disease, and a vet recommended they be euthanased immediately due to their level of pain and suffering.

The dogs had large tumours in the mouth, stomach and testicles.

“There is no excuse for prolonging the needless suffering of animals. I urge pet owners to reach out for help, rather than let animals suffer,” RSPCA WA Chief Inspector Amanda Swift said.

Gleich was fined $10,000, ordered to pay costs of $3808 and received a 10-year ban from owning any animal.

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