A 22-year-old Swan View man has been charged with animal cruelty for allegedly beating his one-year-old bull arab mastiff cross.

It is alleged that at the family home in June, the accused became angry with the dog for chewing a child’s teddy bear.

He is said to have forcefully punched the dog several times with a closed fist while holding him by the throat, punching him several more times while holding him by the scruff of the neck (during which the dog urinated), and kicking the dog while wearing steel capped boots.

Onlookers describe the dog as fearful and trying to run away. They attempted to intervene, and police were called.

An RSPCA WA inspector attended the accused’s property after receiving a cruelty complaint from WAPOL.

The accused denied the incident, stating he only softly tapped the dog on the nose with the chewed toy.

The inspector seized the dog, who continues to be cared for by the RSPCA who allege the accused was cruel to the dog in that he maliciously beat him.

The alleged offender appeared in the Midland Magistrates Court on Monday, November 4 where he sought an adjournment for legal advice which was granted, and the matter is now listed for mention at the same court on December 2.