RSPCA: Casey Council Victoria’s worst animal cruelty hotspot

Violence against animals spiked during Melbourne’s first lockdown, according to RSPCA figures, and experts fear cases of neglect and torture will spiral out of control as the state’s long lockdown continues.

A cat is lucky to be alive after RSPCA inspectors found it with a ziptie around the base of its tail making it impossible for it to defecate. Picture: RSPCA

Violence against animals has spiked during lockdown.

And experts fear cases of neglect will spiral out of control as financial pressure mounts on unemployed pet owners.

New RSPCA figures reveal 10,745 harrowing reports of brutality and neglect were made across the state in the year to June — an average of 29 incidents a day.

Reports of intentional cruelty such as beatings, wounding, torturing and tormenting animals, skyrocketed 16 per cent between March and May, coinciding with the state’s first lockdown.

RSPCA chief Dr Liz Walker said stress could be one explanation for the disturbing trend, but heartbreaking cases of neglect drove the overall figures.

“The spike is really worrying and I think it should concern the whole community and I think it’s something that we really need to watch out for,” Dr Walker said.

“Yesterday was R U OK? day and checking people are safe … that goes for animals too.

“We know that the main drivers of animal cruelty are ignorance and capability.

“There are cases where animals have been allowed to starve to death in backyards. That is heartbreaking because that would have been something so easy to fix in surrendering the animals.

“We want Victorians to continue to tell us if they have concerns … animals make our lives better so it’s beholden on people to make sure we meet their needs.”

The City of Casey overtook Geelong as the state’s worst hotspot for animal cruelty, according to the figures.

In the past year 581 reports of abuse were reported across the municipality, while the municipalities of Geelong (561), Hume (374), Whittlesea (344) and Melton (338) rounded out the five worst local government areas for abuse.

Dr Walker said one of the worst cases of intentional abuse she’d heard about was of a cat found in a park in Hadfield in June.

Someone had tied a zip tie and rubber band around the base of its tail, making it impossible for the cat to defecate.

“It was a miracle someone found him and our inspectors picked him up and he has made a full recovery,” Dr Walker said.

“When you see deliberate acts of cruelty it sends shivers down you, it’s really disturbing.”

Dorothy McMack, a member of the Lost Pets in the West (Melbourne) Facebook group, told the Leader Hoppers Crossing residents were put on high alert in August following a sickening suspected case of animal cruelty.

A cat owner found their beloved feline’s body tossed over a garden fence with its head bashed in, she said, and she said it was important people kept an eye on their feline when it was outdoors.

“I think people just need to be aware that not everyone is a cat lover and not going to be happy if their cat keeps coming into their garden,” Ms McMack said.

“The danger (with) putting something like that out there is it brings out all of the cat haters and the last thing we want to do is make the situation worse.”

Report instances of neglect or suspected animal cruelty by making an anonymous report to the RSPCA.

Victoria’s 10 worst LGA’s for animal cruelty

Casey Council – 581

City of Greater Geelong – 561

Hume Council – 374

Whittlesea Council – 344

Melton Council – 338

Frankston Council – 338

Latrobe Council – 333

Wyndham Council – 328

City of Greater Bendigo – 320

Mornington Peninsula Shire Council – 303

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