Man charged with animal cruelty after dog riddled with 'hundreds of maggots' dies

A Western Australian man has been charged with animal cruelty after his dog that was allegedly riddled with "hundreds and hundreds of maggots" died.

A visitor at the 32-year-old's Port Hedland home in September made a report to local rangers after allegedly noticing the dog had open wounds so severe he could see its ribs and organs.

That same day, the dog died.

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A Port Hedland ranger told RSPCA WA there was no indication the dog had received any first aid or veterinary treatment.

The dog's body was seized and taken to a local vet for examination.

"The vet said the majority of the dog's torso was covered in a very large number of live maggots, ranging from 1mm to 3mm in length," RSPCA WA said in a statement.

"He also had a large number of live maggots crawling through open wounds, as well as in his nasal and oral cavities.

"The vet concluded the dog would have suffered as a result of the presence of the large number of maggots."

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The vet allegedly observed six deep wounds that appeared to have been made with a knife or another sharp object.

According to the examination, the dog died from multiple organ failure and sepsis due to the open wounds. It was also malnourished and underweight.

According to the RSCPA, the vet said that "if veterinary assistance had been sought, the dog's wounds could have been successfully treated".

The 32-year-old man was charged with animal cruelty and is facing a maximum penalty of a $50,000 fine and five years in prison.

The matter will be heard in South Hedland Magistrates Court in February.

RSPCA WA will allege in court the man was cruel to the dog, which suffered harm that could have been alleviated by taking reasonable steps.

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