Starving, thirsty, alone: Dogs abandoned in Wyndham backyard

A “heartbreaking” case of animal cruelty in Melbourne’s west has been revealed as the RSPCA launches a campaign to fight animal cruelty.

An image of one of the dogs allegedly abandoned in a Wyndham backyard without food and water just before Christmas. Picture: RSPCA

Three dogs have been rescued after they were allegedly cruelly chained up and abandoned in a backyard in Melbourne’s west.

The dogs, a heeler, kelpie and a bull arab, were reported to the RSPCA by a worried neighbour who noticed the distressed pooches tethered up without food or water last month.

An inspector visited the Princes Highway property on Christmas Eve to collect the animals.

A tenant who previously lived in the property denied the animals belonged to them and all three were taken into the care of the RSPCA and provided with veterinary care.

Inspector Rebecca Mullenger said it was heart-wrenching to see people show such little regard for their furry best friends.

“Pets are part of the family, so to see these three dogs left behind just a day before Christmas is heartbreaking,” Ms Mullenger said.

“Moving out of a property and leaving an animal tethered in a yard with no food or water is not acceptable behaviour and the community should be rightfully outraged. The concerned citizen who reported these dogs to us likely saved their lives.”

The RSPCA received 1401 reports of abandoned animals last financial year, of which 468 were made during last summer alone.

The RSPCA also received more than 2500 reports of dogs left without sufficient water or shelter.

Ms Mullenger said it was important to remember that if a person’s circumstances changed and they were unable to care for their pet they could surrender it to the RSPCA.

The dogs found in Wyndham are not yet available for adoption and will continue to undergo health checks, behaviour assessments and rehabilitation.

RPCA Victoria is running a campaign targeting three of the most commonly reported cruelty concerns in summer; abandonment, dogs in hot cars and insufficient access to water or shade.