WA man fined over neglect of two dogs which 'suffered greatly'

A man in Western Australia's far north has been fined $5,000 and banned from owning an animal for five years following cruelty reports concerning his two dogs.

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Daniel McLean, 44, was sentenced in the Broome Magistrates Court on Friday on two counts of animal cruelty and two counts of not complying with directions made by an inspector.

He was found guilty and sentenced in his absence after failing to attend a previous court date and being ordered to enter a plea on Friday.

The court was told RSPCA WA received a cruelty report in relation to a "starving" and "underweight dog" at McLean's residence in Broome in July 2024 and asked the Shire of Broome rangers to attend the premises.

RSPCA WA prosecutor Hayley McQueen told the court rangers found a great dane called Morley in "very poor" condition and urged McLean to take the dog to the vet.

A vet in Broome found Morley was emaciated, with a body score of two out of nine.

The court heard McLean told the vet he fed Morley meat and vegetables twice a day, and the vet said he should introduce additional commercial pet food and bring Morley in to be weighed weekly at no cost.

Ms McQueen told the court McLean was issued with written directions by the RSPCA to provide sufficient food and visit the vet weekly for a month, but he failed to follow directions.

In March 2025, two RSPCA inspectors attended McLean's property after receiving reports Morley was underweight and resembled a "walking skeleton".

The inspectors observed Morley appeared emaciated, and saw a Pomeranian, called Waldo, also owned by McLean, was underweight with his "abdomen tucked" and a "narrow waist".

The court heard McLean told inspectors Morley's metabolism had deteriorated after having puppies and that she had worms again despite having been wormed recently.

Ms McQueen said McLean said Waldo had always been small but ate more than he did.

Both dogs were seized by the RSPCA and transferred for ongoing assessment and treatment, with a subsequent vet examination finding both were emaciated due to a lack of proper nutrition.

The great dane was also found to have dental disease, ear infections and a painful eye condition, while the Pomeranian was found to have dental disease and two fractured teeth.

Dogs 'very poorly treated'

In her sentencing submission, Ms McQueen said the dogs would have "suffered from pain and significant distress" as well as "egregious neglect" over an extended period of time.

During sentencing, Magistrate Elizabeth Langdon said the dogs had been "very poorly treated" and "clearly neglected by the owner" and said he had failed to comply with directions to show action was being taken.

"He's had ample chances to show in my view remorse and an ability to care for those two …" she said.

"Cruelty to animals is prevalent in the community, unfortunately … that is a factor [which goes] to the need of general deterrence."

She said McLean lacked an understanding of what was required of him as an owner of the two dogs.

"In this case [the two dogs] have suffered greatly from neglect," she said.

Five-year ban on owning animals

Magistrate Langdon acknowledged McLean's record did not show anything which "even closely resembles a similar type of offending".

He was fined $2,000 for two charges of animal cruelty and $500 for two charges of failing to comply with directions.

McLean has also been ordered to pay legal costs of over $1,300 and reimburse the RSPCA WA over $5,600 for treatment costs.

He has been banned from owning an animal for five years.