RSPCA Victoria reveals animal cruelty reports in Melbourne’s north

A cat bound by cable ties, a dog tied to a tree and two kittens thrown into traffic are among a “heartbreaking” number of animal cruelty reports across Melbourne’s north, where one area had more than 400 cases in a year. DISTURBING IMAGES

Bella the bulldog, who was found abused and tied to a tree in November, is on the mend. Picture: RSPCA.

A cat bound by cable ties and two kittens who were thrown into traffic are among more than a thousand shocking cases of animal cruelty in the northern suburbs.

RSPCA Victoria figures reveal there were 1872 reports of animal abuse in Melbourne’s north in 2018-19, with 410 of them in Hume.

There were 383 complaints in Whittlesea, 242 in Darebin and 212 in Moreland.

In November a battered dog was found tied to a tree in Diggers Rest, with the RSPCA saying the American bulldog’s injuries were so severe she was lucky to be alive.

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SKELETAL HORSES, STARVING DOG AMONG SOUTHEAST CRUELTY CASES

Bella was found seriously injured in Diggers Rest in November.

Neglect was the most common abuse reported across Victoria in 2018-19, with thousands of animals starved of food, water and shelter.

Other cruelty cases included underweight animals, dire hygiene grooming and housing conditions, sick animals deprived of veterinary treatment and creatures being beaten or wounded.

Incidents in the northern suburbs during that time included:

– Two kittens being thrown from a moving car into peak-hour traffic near the intersection of the Hume Highway and Craigieburn Rd

– A cat bound by cable ties with a note warning “keep your cat locked up or else” in the suburb of Research

– A probe into the matter of 100 dead horses left to rot in paddocks in the Macedon Ranges

Overall there were more than 11,000 cruelty reports made across the state – up 996 from the previous financial year.

A pet cat was found with its neck, tail and leg bound with cable ties and a threatening note attached around its neck, according to a report made to RSPCA Victoria.

Some individual reports related to the abuse of multiple animals, particularly horses.

The worst areas for cases per capita were the Pyrenees, which had one reported case of abuse for every 101 people, followed by Loddon Shire where there was a case for every 139 residents.

RSPCA Victoria chief executive Liz Walker said it was “heartbreaking” animals were suffering, often due to a lack of basic care.

“Looking at these figures it’s easy to feel disheartened however … the individuals who make these reports give a voice to vulnerable animals who can’t speak for themselves,” she said.

Hume Council corporate services director Daryl Whitford said the council worked closely with RSPCA officers, sharing information and providing resources when requested to assist with welfare investigations.

“As well as providing general responsible pet ownership information to residents, council prohibits keeping more than two dogs or cats in residential areas to prevent hoarding and backyard breeding,” he said.

“Council also audits all domestic animal businesses, including breeders, boarding kennels and pet shops to ensure they are complying with relevant Codes of Practice.”

ANIMAL CRUELTY REPORTS TO THE RSPCA IN THE NORTH 2018-19

Hume – 410

Whittlesea – 383

Darebin – 242

Moreland – 212

Maribyrnong – 163

Macedon Ranges – 126

Moonee Valley – 118

Nillumbik – 113

Banyule – 105