UK Man Charged with Drowning and Bashing Dog in Western Australia
A 31-year-old UK man on a working holiday visa has been refused bail over allegations of drowning and bashing a dog to death in Western Australia's Goldfields region. Bradley Gavin Knoesen is accused of causing an animal unnecessary harm and is due back in court on October 12.
Bradley Gavin Knoesen, a 31-year-old UK citizen on a working holiday visa, has been refused bail after being charged with drowning and bashing a dog to death in Western Australia's Goldfields region.
Police allege that Knoesen, who is accused of causing an animal unnecessary harm, drowned the one-year-old kelpie, named Faith, by repeatedly submerging it underwater while he was heavily intoxicated.
Arrest and Court Hearing
Knoesen was taken into custody after a brief court hearing in Kalgoorlie, 600 kilometres east of Perth, on Tuesday morning. During the hearing, prosecutors described the alleged incident, which occurred on September 23.
According to police, Knoesen had consumed an "extreme amount of alcohol" with his cousin in Kalgoorlie when he picked up the dog and repeatedly submerged it underwater. The court heard that Knoesen smiled and laughed during the ordeal, which left the dog unresponsive.
A witness revived the dog through CPR, but police allege that Knoesen then said the dog was "brain dead" and bashed it with a glass bottle. The dog's body was then tied to a motorbike and dragged through bushland on the outskirts of Kalgoorlie.
Bail Refused
Police prosecutor Senior Constable Ian Southall opposed bail on the grounds that police believed Knoesen would flee the country if released. Magistrate Donna Webb refused bail, citing the nature of the charges.
Knoesen is due back in court on October 12. An RSPCA spokesperson confirmed that the organisation had received an animal cruelty report and would assist police with the investigation as required.