A Perth man has been charged with animal cruelty over the death of a 5-month-old chihuahua puppy.
It's alleged the 61-year-old Yokine man hit the animal in the head with a paving mallet in late June and fractured its skull.
The accused took the dog to a vet clinic and said he didn't know how the animal suffered numerous injuries.
The next day, he took the puppy home against veterinary advice.
A friend then convinced him to take the animal to another vet, however it died on the way there.
Authorities later executed a warrant at the accused man's house and seized a blood-stained paving mallet, which later came back positive for traces of non-human blood.
Investigators allege the 61-year-old beat the puppy, however he has denied any knowledge of how the animal was injured.
The maximum penalty for animal cruelty is five years in prison and a $50,000 fine.
