Lee Anthony McClelland fined for leaving Great Dane to starve at Orelia home

A man has been fined $9000 and banned from owning a dog for five years, after his Great Dane named Redley was found starving at his Orelia home. Lee Anthony McClelland, 36, who now lives in South Australia and was bailed to return to WA last month, appeared in Rockingham court on Monday. His brother, Stephen Howard McClelland, was also banned from owning dogs for three years and fined $5000 for his neglect of an elderly Rottweiler cross-breed named Maverick at the same property. Stephen McClelland was sentenced earlier this month. A police officer made a cruelty report to the RSPCA in April 2019 after going to the home and seeing the two dogs. Police saw that Redley was in poor shape with his ribs, spine and hips protruding. Two RSPCA inspectors went to the home where they seized both dogs. McClelland told police he thought Redley was sick, but he couldn’t afford vet bills and said he was trying to “build him back up”. He also denied his pet missed meals and said he fed him at least once per day. Redley was taken to Baldivis Vet Clinic where he was sedated for his examination due to severe aggression. The vet found the Great Dane had suffered prolonged starvation and was extremely emaciated and had severe muscle wastage over his entire body. The dog was also suffering from an ear infection, hip dysplasia and a flea infection. Both Redley and Maverick had to be put down. The court found Redley had suffered harm which could have been alleviated by taking reasonable steps and that Lee McClelland didn’t provide proper and sufficient food to him. RSPCA WA executive manager Hannah Dreaver said Redley’s vet reports showed the true extent of his suffering. “Redley was meant to be a loved pet. Instead he was left to starve and suffer over a long period of time. The sheer neglect is hard to comprehend. Please, if you can’t look after your animals, ask for help,” she said. To report cruelty phone 1300 CRUELTY or 1300 278 358.