Victoria’s animal cruelty hot spots revealed in RSPCA report

Reports of animal abuse in Victoria are skyrocketing, with the RSPCA receiving 29 reports of animal abuse daily this year. And these are our state’s worst regions for animal cruelty.

Inspector Kate Davies with Shuey the 12-year-old rescue beagle. Picture: Mark Stewart

Victoria’s animal welfare watchdog received 29 reports of animal abuse every day this year as the number of cruelty charges laid soared more than 86 per cent.

RSPCA Victoria responded to 10,642 reports of animal cruelty in the past financial year — almost 500 more than the previous year.

These included thousands of accounts of wounding, tormenting, starving and abandoning animals.

VICTORIA’S MOST POPULAR RESCUE DOGS

RSPCA INVESTIGATES AFTER CAT FOUND CABLE TIED

In exclusive data released to the Sunday Herald Sun, Victoria’s worst regions for animal cruelty have been identified.

For the second year in a row, the Greater Geelong region was named as the state’s cruelty hotspot with 559 complaints received — a slight drop from last year’s 584.

Frankston registered almost 100 more cruelty reports than the previous year, placing it second on the worst offenders list with 462 complaints.

And Ballarat, Whittlesea and Wyndham rounded out the top five.

For the third year in a row, failure to provide sufficient food, water and shelter made up the highest proportion of offences — totally 4.905 reports.

In the past year, the RSPCA also responded to:

3212 concerns about hygiene, grooming and housing conditions;

2704 reports of underweight animals;

2412 instances of sick animals not receiving medical treatment; and

1198 reports of animals being beaten and wounded.

Concerns for dogs and puppies made up the overwhelming majority of the complaints, with almost 6200 reports received.

RSPCA Victoria CEO Dr Liz Walker said she was disappointed to see people were still failing to provide the most basic levels of care for their animals.

Shuey the beagle was rescued after being found neglected and malnourished. Picture: Mark Stewart

RSPCA INVESTIGATING AFTER SICKENING ACT ON HIGHWAY

“It breaks our hearts to see inspectors and vets attend to so many animals that are severely malnourished and ill,” Dr Walker said.

“These statistics reflect that there is still a lot of important work that needs to be done to educate Victorians and improve animal welfare.”

Dr Walker praised the work of inspectors for the significant increase in charges laid and successful prosecutions of animal cruelty cases.

Notices to comply increased by more than 50 per cent and 712 charges were laid against 113 people in 2017/18.

Shuey the beagle, 12, was rescued by the RSPCA inspectors last month after being found neglected and malnourished.

He is now part of the office foster program where he receives plenty of pats and attention while he waits for adoption, RSPCA’s Camilla Spiers said.

“He’s certainly not lost faith in humans and is an absolute delight to have around,” she said.

[e-mail]

@GenevieveAlison