RSPCA animal cruelty report reflects badly on Queensland
THE number of animal cruelty complaints made across the state is “disturbing” to the RSPCA as we reveal the best and worst suburbs.
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THE number of animal cruelty complaints made across the state in 2016 reflects badly on Queensland, as RSPCA Queensland spokesman Michael Beatty labels the latest figures “disturbing”.
The latest data revealed RSPCA fielded 18,137 complaints from across the state in 2016, a
a slight decrease of 356 — or about 2 per cent — compared to 2015 (18,493).
For the fifth consecutive year, Caboolture topped the list for the most number of complaints, increasing by two from 2015 to 269 complaints last year.
Joining Caboolture in the top three were nearby suburbs — Morayfield (170) and Deception Bay (162). Another suburb of the Moreton Bay region, Kallangur (105), was ranked seventh.
A MBRC spokesman said the percentage of complaints in the region compared to the number of registered dogs and cats was low but “any report of animal cruelty was one too many”.
“Council regularly undertakes a proactive and rigorous animal inspection program, aimed at ensuring responsible pet ownership and the welfare of pets across our region,” he said.
“Any suspected animal welfare or cruelty cases are referred immediately to the RSPCA for action.”
The spokesman said council was continuing to work with the State Government, RSPCA and other local government authorities to ensure there was sufficient legislation in place to protect animals from cruelty and to promote responsible animal management.
Rounding out the top 10 were Woodridge (123) in fourth, Maryborough (122) fifth, Kelso (115) sixth, Goodna (105) eighth, Inala (102) ninth and Kingston (101) tenth.
RSPCA Queensland spokesman Michael Beatty said the RSPCA had a mixed view of the results.
“There’s no doubt the sheer number of complaints is disturbing,” he said.
“However, we are heartened that there seems to be more community awareness now about when an animal is being neglected.
“People are also more inclined to report incidents where they believe an animal has been abused. “Unfortunately, this also means the sheer workload on our Inspectors and animal ambulance officers is enormous.”
The 2016 figures were just fewer than the 18,334 complaints received in 2014 but were significantly more than 2013 (16,777) and 2012 (15,144).
When asked why some suburbs continue to receive a high volume of complaints each year, Mr Beatty said: “There appears to be no obvious reason for this”.
“All we can do is continue to spread the message that animal cruelty is not acceptable and can be viewed as a precursor to greater violence down the track.”
Read more: US man who sexually abused animals asks to be chemically castrated
Animal cruelty complaints by suburb:
1. Caboolture — 269
2. Morayfield — 170
3. Deception Bay — 162
4. Woodridge — 123
5. Maryborough — 122
6. Kelso — 115
7. Kallangur — 105
8. Goodna — 105
9. Inala — 102
10. Kingston — 101
11. Kirwan — 99
12. Southport — 98
13. Slacks Creek — 98
14. Eagleby — 90
15. Gympie — 89
16. Burpengary — 85
17. Redbank Plains — 82
18. Gracemere — 81
19. Crestmead — 78
20. Warwick — 76
21. Pimpama — 75
22. Edmonton — 75
23. Rasmussen — 73
24. Beenleigh — 70
25. North Lakes — 69
26. Toowoomba — 68
27. Jimboomba — 68
28. Acacia Ridge — 68
29. Dalby — 67
30. Logan Central — 65
31. Upper Coomera — 63
32. Beaudesert — 63
33. Waterford West — 60
34. Nerang — 60
35. Berserker — 60
36. Labrador — 59
37. Marsden — 58
38. Capalaba — 58
39. Harristown — 57
40. Condon — 57
41. Brassall — 57
42. Mount Louisa — 56
43. Koongal — 56
44. Alexandra Hills — 56
45. Rockhampton — 55
46. Mackay — 55
47. Loganlea — 53
48. Forest Lake — 53
49. Emerald — 53
50. Caboolture South — 53
51. Nambour — 52
52. Frenchville — 52
53. Ayr — 52
54. Zillmere — 51
55. Rocklea — 50
56. Wulguru — 49
57. White Rock — 49
58. Bracken Ridge — 49
59. Wynnum — 48
60. Narangba — 48
61. Kamerunga — 48
62. Cairns — 48
63. Urangan — 47
64. Strathpine — 47
65. Leichhardt — 47
66. Clontarf — 47
67. Chermside — 47
68. Sunnybank Hills — 46
69. South Toowoomba — 46
70. Newtown — 46
71. Laidley — 46
72. Kippa-Ring — 46
73. Kingaroy — 46
74. Bundamba — 46
75. Ormeau — 45
76. Wynnum West — 44
77. Redcliffe — 44
78. Mount Morgan — 44
79. Yeppoon — 43
80. Surfers Paradise — 43
81. Oxenford — 43
82. Oakey — 43
83. Margate — 43
84. Heatley — 43
85. Petrie — 42
86. Lowood — 42
87. Runaway Bay — 41
88. Greenbank — 41
89. Brisbane City — 41
90. Bowen — 41
91. Atherton — 41
92. Park Avenue — 40
93. North Mackay — 40
94. North Ipswich — 40
95. Coomera — 40
96. Russell Island — 39
97. Maroochydore — 39
98. Andergrove — 39
99. Mango Hill — 38
100. Browns Plains — 38
(Unknown suburb: 38)
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