Dog owner fined for animal cruelty after claiming his American Staffordshire bull terrier Blaze turned into a zombie and ‘ate itself’
A pet owner has been heavily fined for animal cruelty after authorities rejected his bizarre claims about his dog’s open wounds, including that he “turned into a zombie and started eating himself.”
The 27-year-old man from Usher, south of Bunbury in Western Australia, was found guilty of cruelty to his male American Staffordshire bull terrier named Blaze at the Bunbury Magistrates Court on September 19.
RSPCA WA inspectors visited the man’s property in April following reports the dog had ‘substantial open wounds to its back, neck, shoulders and head’.
In a statement, RSPCA WA said the man gave “contradictory and confusing accounts” when questioned by an inspector about how the dog had been injured.
‘Among the possible reasons for his injuries, the perpetrator suggested that he could have been involved in a dog fight, that he could have nibbled his fur, that someone could have hit him, or that he turned into a zombie and started punching himself to eat,” it says. said.
Officers took Blaze to an animal hospital where veterinarians discovered wounds on his neck and back “consistent with third-degree burns” that were 10 to 14 days old.
A follow-up examination revealed that his wounds resembled injuries sustained during a dog fight, although the vet could not rule out burns.
There also appeared to be a wound infected with dirt underneath.
The 27-year-old man from Usher was found guilty at Bunbury Magistrates Court of cruelty to his male American Staffordshire bull terrier, Blaze (pictured)
Magistrate Stephen Butcher said the perpetrator’s reasons for Blaze’s injuries were “internally inconsistent and unlikely”, reported The West.
“If it wasn’t so serious, it would be laughable that he thought Blaze turned into a zombie and started eating himself,” he continued.
“(It’s) as plain as the nose on my face that anyone can open their eyes and see the wounds that make the lies more unlikely.”
RSPCA WA inspector manager Kylie Green said it was clear the dog was in pain.
“Blaze needed veterinary care for his infected wounds and it is blatant cruelty to deny him that,” she said.
Blaze has since recovered under the care of RSPCA WA and is looking for a new home.
The magistrate ruled that the man caused Blaze to suffer harm that could have been alleviated by taking reasonable steps, such as a visit to a vet.
In a statement, RSPCA WA said the man gave “contradictory and confusing accounts” when questioned by an inspector about how the dog’s injuries were sustained.
The man was fined $5,000 and ordered to pay $1,089 in costs.
He was also not allowed to lead or own animals for five years.
To report suspected cases of animal abuse or neglect, contact the RSPCA on 1300 CRUELTY (1300 278 358) or online.