- New South Wales, Australia -
New South Wales Police said in a news release that “Marine Area Command investigators have charged a man with alleged animal cruelty offences after a dog was found deceased underwater in Sydney’s south.”
Police say that at about midday on Saturday, October 9, they were called to Yowie Bay, after a dog was found deceased underwater by swimmers.
Botany Bay Water Police responded to the scene and located the furbaby, a 2-year-old Belgian Malinois, tied to a cement block.
With assistance from Police Divers, the furbaby was retrieved and taken to a local vet to perform a necropsy.
Marine Area Command investigators immediately began an investigation with the assistance of other agencies.
The probe led to the execution of a search warrant at a home in Miranda on the early evening of Monday, October 11.
During the search, officers found and seized more than 117g of cannabis and other items relevant to the investigation.
Police arrested a 49-year-old man and transported him to Sutherland Police Station.
He was charged with three offences including torture, beat and cause death of animal, commit an act of aggravated cruelty upon an animal and possess prohibited drug.
The offender was refused bail and was scheduled to appear at Sutherland Local Court on October 12.
Police did not identify the offender. However, Yahoo News identified the male as SHANNON BERTUS DE WAARD.
Yahoo News reports that DE WAARD appeared at Sutherland Local Court and pleaded not guilty to all charges.
DE WAARD was then released on bail and is slated to be back in court on November 23, 2021.
Animal Justice MP Emma Hurst said she would be watching the case closely.
She wrote in a Facebook post: “I don’t want to even think about the suffering this sentient being endured. The courts have to recognize animal cruelty as the serious crime that it is.
Anyone who harms an animal in an aggressive act of cruelty is a danger to other animals and the wider community.”
MP Hurst also said: “If this man is found guilty, he could be facing 5 years jail time.”
Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from official news outlets. Links included.
Details may be removed or additional information may be provided in future should such sources report an update.