Shocking CCTV footage has emerged of the shocking moment a mother slammed her dog repeatedly against a brick wall, in what RSPCA inspectors say is one of the most shocking incidents of animal abuse they have ever seen.
Linda Marie Deworboies, 47, was sentenced to 15 months in prison for the heinous act in Leonora, near Kalgoorlie, 830km north-east of Perth, on New Year’s Day 2022.
The shocking footage, captured by CCTV at a nearby post office, shows the pet owner walking down the street with her child while holding her dog Buster by the legs.
Deworboies then punched Buster several times against the wall before punching the helpless animal in the stomach.
She continued to hit Buster in the leg until he was hit again.
Mother and child then continued walking down the street, while Deworboies continued carrying the dog.
Buster suffered severe injuries to his leg, but was in pain for 30 days before being taken to the local animal shelter.
Vets immediately arranged treatment for Buster, but he could not be saved, even after his leg was amputated.
Four months later, Buster was euthanized.
An RSPCA inspector had previously visited Deworboies’ home and noticed that the dog was unable to walk properly.
Deworboies was charged after a police officer who viewed the gruesome footage recognized the woman.
She appeared in Kalgoorlie District Court on Wednesday where she was convicted under two sections of the Animal Welfare Act 2002, alleging she had committed animal cruelty.
Deworboies was also given a lifetime ban from keeping pets.
The court heard that Deworboies had previously breached her bail conditions, which prevented her from being alone with animals, Western Australian reported.
The court also heard about an incident that had not been reported before. A forest ranger saw her pick up a small dog by its legs and then throw it into a car.
Buster (pictured) suffered serious injuries to his leg and had to be euthanized in May 2022 after one of his legs was amputated
The ranger visited her home to remove an adult dog and two puppies from her while she was out on bail.
During another incident, a police officer saw her throw a rock at another dog.
Magistrate Janie Gibbs said Deworboies showed no remorse for her actions, which she said was evident when she denied assaulting Buster.
Deworboies had previously stated that she was not at Leonora when the incident occurred.
Ms Gibbs said the woman posed a serious risk to animals and called her behaviour unacceptable.
“They say a picture is worth a thousand words. To say these images are confronting is an understatement,” she said.
“It’s violent, it’s callous. It’s made significantly worse by the fact that a child — your child — was there and saw what you did to Buster.”
Deworboies was captured on CCTV hitting Bester against the brick wall several times before punching him in the stomach (pictured)
Ms Gibbs rejected the woman’s claims that she took her frustrations out on Buster because she was stressed and people allegedly wanted to fight her.
Kylie Green, RSPCA WA inspector manager, said the CCTV footage was one of the most harrowing incidents of animal cruelty she had ever seen.
“This was a vicious, deliberate and sustained attack on a small dog,” Green said.
‘Buster suffered physical pain and emotional trauma throughout the ordeal.’
A charge of animal cruelty can carry a maximum fine of $50,000 and a five-year prison sentence if someone is found guilty of the offence in Western Australia.