A Perth man has been sentenced to nine months jail after he was found running a cruel puppy farm at a home in Canning Vale, with authorities believing he had bred nearly 400 dogs over the course of four years.
RSPCA WA inspectors were called to the property in December 2024, after a member of the public said they had found dogs wandering outside the home. Two had already been taken to the vet for urgent medical attention, prompting inspectors to investigate.
When they arrived they found more than 100 dogs at the property, housed in different kennel blocks and enclosures.
“There were puppies and adult dogs, including groodles, golden retrievers, corgis, French bulldogs, cocker spaniels and other mixed breeds,” a RSPCA spokesperson said.
“Many of the dogs had severely matted coats, untreated medical conditions and displayed fearful behaviour consistent with prolonged neglect. The offender admitted owning the dogs and acknowledged some required veterinary treatment but said he would not be taking them to a vet.
“He said he was treating an injury on one of the dogs with honey.”
Over the following 10 days, the RSPCA cleared out the property and took the dogs into care. They said they found many of them had “shut down” and were fearful of people.
Out of the 117 that had been seized, 22 had to be put down due to serious health issues.
Perth Magistrate’s Court heard the man would often take the puppies for sale from his Canning Vale property to a home in Como, to disguise the fact they were from puppy farms. A prosecutor estimated the sale of the puppies would have generated him upwards of $1 million between 2021 and 2025.
Even after he had received an order to forfeit a golden retriever puppy he had held onto, he still sold the animal. He was also charged over this breach.
According to the RSPCA, Magistrate Sandra De Maio described the offender as a “devious and dishonest individual” whose litany of lies had “completely obliterated any credibility”.
“His story changes like the tides... I simply do not believe a word he says,” she said.
“He left them to suffer in appalling conditions ...he [was] uncaring of their welfare and indifferent to their pain... they suffered greatly for most of their lives.”
RSPCA WA inspector manager Kylie Green said it was the worst case of puppy farming she had ever seen.
“This case was both heartbreaking and infuriating. When animals are treated purely as commodities in the pursuit of profit, the consequences for their welfare can be devastating,” she said.
Many have been rehomed through the RSPCA’s foster carer network.
The man was sentenced to nine months immediate imprisonment and ordered to pay $5000 for breaching the forfeiture order and selling a golden retriever puppy.
