Mirrabooka couple plead guilty to letting their dog suffer with a painful break in her paw for over a week

A couple from Mirrabooka will be banned from making contact with pets for two years after they left their dog at home to suffer from a painful break in her paw for over a week. Sophie Laura Krakouer, 35, and Jamie Edward Paul Dimer, 36 pleaded guilty in Perth Magistrates Court on Friday to an animal cruelty charge and have had their eight-month-old bull mastiff forfeited to RSPCA WA. On December 8 last year an RSPCA inspector found Nala “clearly in pain” and “unable to put weight” on her left hind leg. The RSPCA said Nala was whimpering, and that Mr Dimer admitted she was “struggling” with the injury. Mr Dimer declined the inspector’s offer to surrender to RSPCA WA and said he would take Nala to the vet that afternoon. The inspector issued a written direction to seek vet care but when the pair failed to comply the RSPCA seized Nala. She was taken to the RSPCA’s animal care centre in Malaga, where vets discovered she had a fracture in her paw that “would have caused her severe pain and distress”. RSPCA WA inspector manager Kylie Green said pets in need of vet care were a common concern reported through the cruelty hotline. “RSPCA WA is sympathetic to the fact many pet owners are doing it tough at the moment, but there is no excuse for the prolonged suffering Nala was subjected to,” she said. “When you take on a pet, that’s a commitment to provide everything they need, including food, water, shelter, and timely vet care. “If you can’t provide your pet with proper care, reach out to friends, family or a rescue group for help as soon as possible. Leaving your pet in pain is one of the worst ways you can let them down.” Ms Green said Nala had made a full recovery while in the RSCPA’s care. “Thank you to the kind person who spoke up for Nala and made a report when she couldn’t ask for help herself,” she said. The couple were fined $5000 in total, banned from contact with pets for two years and ordered to pay a combined $1019 in court and care costs. The RSPCA relies on the community to report incidents of suspected cruelty and neglect. Report cruelty 24/7 on 1300 CRUELTY (1300 278 358).

Mirrabooka couple plead guilty to letting their dog suffer with a painful break in her paw for over a week

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