A woman in Australia was captured on video strangling her puppy in an act of prolonged cruelty because the puppy was damaging her belongings.
Lani Beattie, 23, received a suspended prison sentence for mistreating her young pet.
Video footage showed Beattie standing over Roxy, a one-year-old dog, tied to a pole with a rope around her neck in Beckenham, Perth, on October 13 last year.
Witnesses reported that Roxy was in distress, making yelping sounds and struggling as Beattie stood by.
Roxy suffered injuries including bruising, swelling, bleeding in her right eye, and signs of psychological distress as confirmed by a veterinarian examination.
Beattie justified her actions by claiming that she no longer wanted Roxy due to the puppy’s destructive behavior.
Roxy has been rehomed by the RSPCA following the incident.
During the court hearing on July 2, the RSPCA WA prosecutor described Beattie’s behavior as ‘wicked’ and ‘sustained’ cruelty, which was condemned by Magistrate Michelle Harries as ‘abhorrent.’
Beattie was convicted of animal cruelty and sentenced to a suspended term of six months and 14 days, with supervision and program requirements for the next 12 months.
Additionally, Beattie is prohibited from owning or caring for animals for five years and was ordered to pay over $1,600 to the RSPCA WA.
RSPCA WA inspector manager Kylie Green expressed shock at the abuse, emphasizing the fear and suffering Roxy endured during the incident.
Green highlighted the importance of proper training, attention, and care for young dogs to prevent destructive behavior, condemning Beattie’s actions as unjustifiable torture.
