Tank (pictured) was injured but Bitchy did not survive (Picture: RSPCA)

A dog died after being tied up in a garden on a hot day without being able to access the water that was left out for her.

Jessica Boggs, 25, and Peter Ball, 29, had tied up their dogs Tank and Bitchy and left a bowl of water out for them before leaving home for the weekend in February.

Couple who met on their balconies during lockdown planning to get married

But with temperatures in Rockhampton, Australia reaching the high 30s, neither dog was able to reach the water, the Morning Bulletin reported.

Neighbours noticed the dogs struggling and called the RSPCA, but Bitchy, a mastiff cross, died before they arrived.


Boggs and Ball both pleaded guilty to breaching their duty of care for an animal at Rockhampton Magistrates’ Court.

The dogs were left out in extreme heat (Picture: RSPCA)

Tank was found with injuries having been tangled in his chain, with his vet bills costing the family $10,000 (£5,800).



Grant Cagney, a lawyer for the RSPCA, said: ‘(She) was tied up in a way which the dog could only access the kennel but not access the water.’

Stephanie Nicholas, defending, said Bitchy was a rescue dog who joined the family about 10 years ago.

Boggs and Ball were fined $500 each (£290), with half to be donated to the RSPCA.

Magistrate Jeff Clark said: ‘I appreciate you did not intend to cause any harm to your animals.

‘Your case is an unusual one. Ordinarily the fine would be significantly higher than that.’