David Wade Thorne to go to trial over animal cruelty charge after pleading not guilty

A 25-year-old Withers man accused of allegedly stapling together the chest wounds of his injured pet dog will face trial next year after denying his charges.

David Wade Thorne appeared in Bunbury Magistrates court on Monday, where he pleaded not guilty to not taking reasonable steps to prevent an animal suffering harm after the alleged incident earlier this year.

It is alleged on January 24, an RSPCA inspector and a City of Bunbury ranger attended the man’s home, where they found three-year-old kangaroo crossbreed dog Jacko in a small wire cage at the back of the property.

The dog allegedly had a big wound on his chest, scarcely held together with staples.

Mr Thorne allegedly told the inspector the injury occurred the night before after being attacked by a kangaroo when he had been out hunting with the dog.

He also allegedly confessed to stapling the wound himself without using pain relief, allegedly admitting it was not the first time he had done so.

The dog, who was seen to be visibly limping and hunched over with a swollen eye and covered in scratches and cuts, was taken by authorities to a vet, who was forced to amputate his front leg because of the severity of his injuries.

After surgery, the dog was taken to RSPCA’s animal care centre in Malaga, where his recovery continues.

Mr Thorne will reappear in November for a trial allocation date.

Not taking reasonable steps to prevent an animal suffering harm carries a maximum penalty of a year in prison or a $20,000 fine under the State’s cruelty laws.