A Western Australian man has faced court accused of shooting dead his former partner's three dogs in what police allege was controlling and coercive behaviour.
WARNING: This story contains details some readers may find distressing.
Lesley George Murdock, 55, appeared in the Bunbury Magistrates Court on more than a dozen offences dating back to 2016, including discharging a firearm to cause fear, threats to kill, criminal damage, and aggravated assault.
The truck driver's lawyer told the court the charges were "very much disputed" and would almost certainly proceed to trial.
"He accepts he did put down the dogs, which were also his dogs," she said.
"He had been told they had been declared dangerous dogs and he didn't want anyone else but himself to put them down."
Dogs shot with high-powered rifle
Police prosecutor sergeant Troy Gildersleeve said the man's former partner only recently came forward about the alleged offences due to Mr Murdock's "controlling and coercive" behaviour.
Sergeant Gildersleeve said the woman in 2016 had three Staffordshire terriers on the couple's semi-rural property.
He said Mr Murdock had just learnt his partner was going to leave him when he forced her to hold down the dogs so he could shoot them with a high-powered rifle.
"He demanded that the victim hold [the first dog] and she had to cradle [the dog] in her arms … she was emotionally distraught," Sergeant Gildersleeve told the court.
"He then demanded she hold a second dog, Boomer. She was pleading with him not to kill it.
"He discharged the firearm two to three inches from the dog's head and said, 'If I miss, hopefully I'll kill you,'" Sergeant Gildersleeve alleged.
Police said the gun's muzzle was only a few inches from the woman's head when he killed the dogs. A Shire of Harvey ranger was present.
Mr Murdock has also been accused of assaulting his former partner in 2020, shortly after the couple had separated.
Sergeant Gildersleeve said he opposed bail because there was an ongoing, complex investigation and further charges could be laid.
Bail granted
Magistrate Benjamin Tyers noted that the alleged offences were "very serious" but said he could not comment on the strength or otherwise of the allegations, which he noted dated back nearly seven years.
"[Mr Murdock] is presumed to be innocent," he said.
Mr Tyers granted $10,000 bail with a $10,000 surety to be provided by Mr Murdock's aunt and uncle.
He has been ordered to report to police once a week and not to approach his alleged victim.
Mr Murdock is due in court again next month.
