Pet shop animal cruelty complaints soar in Melbourne

COMPLAINTS of animal cruelty in pet shops are on the rise and figures reveal one council is responsible for more than a quarter of all reports.

COMPLAINTS of animal cruelty in pet shops have leapt more than 70 per cent in the past five years.

Documents released to the Herald Sun reveal the number of cruelty complaints received by the RSPCA have been on the rise since 2012.

From 2012 to May this year, there have been 1329 complaints reported to the animal welfare charity in Victoria.

Businesses within Melbourne City Council — Council — in which there are only four registered pet shops — received 28 per cent of complaints.

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Figures reveal that between April and June last year more than 50 complaints were received about pet shops in the city.

A Melbourne Central pet store has been the target of numerous online petitions calling for its closure over the past few years.

The business made headlines as recently as March this year when the RSPCA confirmed they were investigating after claims two french bulldog puppies had been living at the store for several months.

RSPCA would not detail the nature or outcome of complaints received but CEO Dr Liz Walker said all reports made to RSPCA Victoria were investigated either directly by the Inspectorate or referred to another legislative agency.

“We’ve definitely seen an increase in awareness and understanding of animal welfare among Victorians in recent years,” Dr Walker said.

“We appreciate that many Victorians do not like seeing puppies or kittens being sold in pet shops and would encourage any potential pet owners to consider adoption,” she said.