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RSPCA Victoria figures reveal the southeastern suburbs’ animal abuse shame

Thousands of animal abuse reports – including neglect, starvation and beatings – have been made across the southeastern suburbs, with one area clocking up more than 500 cases in a year. WARNING: DISTURBING IMAGES

One of the horses found in RSPCA raid on a Somerville property. PIC: RSPCA
One of the horses found in RSPCA raid on a Somerville property. PIC: RSPCA

Almost a fifth of all animal cruelty cases reported across Victoria in a year happened in Melbourne’s southeastern suburbs, shocking statistics show.

RSPCA Victoria revealed there were more than 2352 reports of animal abuse in the southeast in 2018-19, with 560 cases in Casey alone.

There were 315 complaints in Frankston, 351 in Cardinia and 300 in Mornington.

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Neglect was the most common abuse reported across the state, with thousands of animals starved of food, water and shelter.

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

A malnourished dog found rummaging through a front yard in Seaford in September.
A malnourished dog found rummaging through a front yard in Seaford in September.

Recent reports include:

a number of “skeletal-thin” horses discovered on a property in Pearcedale

an illegal rabbit trap, which killed a beloved pet cat, found at Edithvale wetlands

a starving dog found in Seaford

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

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 an animal abuse 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.

“(The statistics) clearly illustrate the need for further education and for people to seek help if they are having trouble providing basic care for the animals,” she said.

While the figures were disheartening, Dr Walker said people who made the reports were giving a voice to vulnerable animals who could not speak for themselves.

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Casey Council safer communities manager Caroline Bell said the council directed all reports of animal cruelty to the RSPCA for investigation.

“Council’s responsibility is to enforce the Domestic Animals Act 1994, the Casey Community Local Law 2018 and to promote responsible pet ownership,” she said.

“This includes regulations about the number of animals that can be kept on a property and ensuring that the property size is suitable for the number and type of animals, and that they are kept in clean, inoffensive and sanitary conditions.

“Council officers will investigate and enforce identified breaches of these local laws.”

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

Casey – 561

Cardinia – 351

Frankston – 315

Mornington – 300

Kingston – 188

Greater Dandenong – 179

Port Phillip – 167

Glen Eira – 108

Bayside – 75

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/south-east/rspca-victoria-figures-reveal-the-southeastern-suburbs-animal-abuse-shame/news-story/d47fa1c64f31cdd452f8275b0fa23b2a