Ben Bradshaw Pilkington: Baldivis man fined for throwing elderly dog against wall, breaking her leg

A Baldivis man has been fined and banned from owning animals for two years after throwing his ex-wife’s elderly dog so hard it resulted in it being euthanised.

Ben Bradshaw Pilkington pleaded guilty to an animal cruelty charge after throwing the 11-year-old Cavoodle known as Blossom against a wall, causing a “catastrophic” leg fracture.

On January 6, 2025, RSPCA WA received a cruelty report from Warnbro Veterinary Hospital where Blossom had been taken by Pilkington’s ex-wife, two days earlier.

Examinations and X-rays confirmed the dog had suffered a severe fracture to her left femur, involving displacement of the bone fragments.

Due to the extent of the injury and taking into account Blossom’s age and suitability for complex orthopaedic surgery, the vet team at Warnbro Veterinary Hospital recommended humane euthanasia.

After receiving the cruelty report, an RSPCA WA inspector spoke to Pilkington who admitted he had become frustrated when Blossom would not eat her food. He said he grabbed her by the scruff of the neck and threw her about 1.5 metres.

In sentencing, magistrate Sarah Oliver said Blossom was very vulnerable and the offending was unacceptable.

“I accept that this is a serious offence,” she said.

“Because of the nature of the injury and age, Blossom was not able to be saved.”

RSPCA WA inspector manager Kylie Green said it was heartbreaking to think how scared and in pain Blossom would have been.

“Animals are completely dependent on us for their care and protection,” Ms Green said.

“Frustration is never an excuse for responding with violence. This was a painful and entirely preventable outcome for Blossom.”

Pilkington was sentenced under the Animal Welfare Act 2002, under which a maximum penalty for conviction of an animal cruelty charge is a $50,000 fine and five years imprisonment.

He was fined $3000, ordered to pay court costs of $194.30, and an additional $1452 payable to the RSPCA. He was also prohibited from being in charge of an animal for two years.

Anyone with concerns about the welfare of an animal should report them to RSPCA WA’s cruelty hotline on 1300 CRUELTY (1300 278 3589) or via rspcawa.org.au.