A dog groomer has been slapped with a $7500 fine after aggressively handling a pet dog during a grooming session.
In the Armadale Magistrates Court on Monday, the court heard the 31-year-old woman — who was a dog groomer — had roughly handled, slapped, and thrown the dog around during a session at the business in September 2021.
Distressing CCTV footage of the incident shows the woman cornering the Maltese X Shih Tzu — named Luffy — before slapping him on the head, lifting him by his ears, throwing him into a bath and a cage with force, holding him down with her body weight and lifting him by the lead around his neck, which caused the Shih Tzu “distress and pain”.
Luffy’s owner said that after the appointment, her beloved pet was shaky on his feet and she noticed blood around his eyes and a vet examination confirmed an injury to his eye.
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READ NOWThe woman, from Champion Lakes, was fined $2,500 and ordered to pay $5,000 in costs. However, she was afforded a spent conviction and also made an undertaking that she would complete an online grooming behaviour course.
She is no longer employed at the business where the offending occurred.
RSPCA WA Inspector Manager Kylie Green said the offence was a breach of trust.
“Pet owners have faith the person they’re paying to groom their dog will act professionally, treating them with kindness and care,” she said.
“Your dog can’t come home and tell you how their appointment was so you have to trust the groomer has done the right thing.
“Watching the CCTV video, you can see Luffy was terrified.
“Trained groomers should always use the correct equipment and approved grooming techniques to themselves and the dog safe.
“A groomer of the offender’s experience should know to stop a difficult appointment. There is no excuse to lash out and hurt a defenceless animal.”
The maximum penalty for a charge of animal cruelty is a $50,000 fine and five years in prison.
The RSPCA relies on the community to report incidents of suspected cruelty and neglect.
Report cruelty24/7 on 1300 CRUELTY (1300 278 358) or at rspcawa.org.au.