The Mail is counting down the top 10 most read stories of 2016. Here’s what came in at number 10:
September 2, 2016: RSPCA are currently investigating the brutal death of a dog after a Busselton resident found it in the waters of the Wonnerup Floodgates.
Chad Woods told the Mail he was fishing for bream when he noticed the dog in the water.
“I was walking along looking for mullet to put on for bait and I saw basically half a dog hanging out of the water,” he said.
“It was a couple of hundred metres up from the floodgates and it was out probably three metres in the water.
“I could see that it was a dog and I could see the rope going underwater, and because it was pretty clear, I could see the big hammer that it was tied to.”
Mr Woods pulled the dog out of the water and up onto the bank before reporting it to rangers and the RSPCA.
“It is pretty gross and cruel really,” he said.
“Whoever did it should be punished.”
The RSPCA have found the owner of the dog and are now investigating the case.
"We are dealing with yet another case of horrific animal cruelty," RSPCA WA chief inspector Amanda Swift said.
"We urge anyone with information relating to this incident to please come forward.
“If anybody recognises the dog, saw anything suspicious, or has CCTV footage from the area, please share that information with us by calling our cruelty hotline on 1300 CRUELTY.
“Any information big or small could be extremely helpful."
