A pet groomer in Perth has been fined more than NZ$8000 for abusing dogs in the business's care, in a case that has shocked the RSPCA.
The worker accused of the abuse, a 31-year-old woman from Champion Lakes, was caught on video in September 2021 rough-handling a Maltese-Shih-Tzu cross dog.
Footage showed the woman pulling the dog up by its lead and shoved it into a cage. She also slapped the dog, named Luffy, while lifting it off the table by its ears and threw it into a bath.
The dog's owner said Luffy was shaky after the grooming appointment and was bleeding near its eyes. A vet confirmed the injuries.
RSPCA inspector manager Kylie Green said the ordeal was a breach of trust and went against expectations pet owners have of grooming professionals.
"Trained groomers should always use the correct equipment and approved grooming techniques to keep themselves and the dog safe."
Green said experienced groomers should know when to stop a "difficult" appointment.
"There is no excuse to lash out and hurt a defenceless animal," she added.
The groomer was fined AU$2500 and ordered to pay AU$5000 in court costs. They no longer work at the groomers in question.
