Source : Perth Now news
A 38-year-old man has been fined $10,000 and banned from owning or looking after an animal for two years after beating his German Shepherd, Rocky, in Baldivis.
Gavin Yeomans pleaded guilty to one count of animal cruelty after he was seen by witnesses and captured on CCTV ill-treating Rocky on May 3, 2026.
Rockingham Magistrates Court was told the incident happened about 1pm when Yeomans and another man drove up to the dog near the corner of Spinifex Road and Marlberry Lane in Baldivis.
Yeomans took hold of the dog and forcefully hit him three times with a dog lead.
In the CCTV footage, Yeomans can then be seen lifting Rocky by his collar before picking him up, swinging him and using the momentum to forcefully throw him into the back of the ute.
A witness who posted the video to social media said Yeoman slammed Rocky into the tray so hard, they heard the bang from 10 houses away.
“This monster then climbed into the back of the ute and with all his force kicked and stomped on the dog,” the witness said.
“I was running toward the car yelling but the other monster who stood by and watched got back in the ute and drove away while the dog was still being beaten.”
Yeomans told an RSPCA WA inspector that he had been “frustrated” after Rocky ran away.
He admitted to hitting him with the dog lead and that he had “chucked him on the back of the ute” but denied kicking or stomping on the dog.
After Rocky was seized from Yeomans’ care, a vet examination found he was too anxious to be properly examined while conscious. He showed signs of pain when his neck was extended or manipulated, including whimpering and growling.
Rocky continues to recover in foster care.
In sentencing, Magistrate Sarah Oliver said the offending was a “very public display of very violent behaviour”.
“The public’s reaction demonstrates outrage at this despicable action, which is understandable,” she said.
RSPCA WA inspector manager Kylie Green said the incident was an angry and completely unacceptable response to a dog who had simply run away.
“Animals rely on their owners to keep them safe,” Ms Green said.
“Frustration or anger is never an excuse to deliberately hurt or frighten an animal.”
