Worst suburbs for animal cruelty complaints in South Burnett revealed

WARNING, DISTRESSING: Damning new figures show animal cruelty complaints are flooding the RSPCA, with complaints spiking by nearly 70% in one South Burnett town. See which suburbs were the worst offenders:

Animals are being abused at a shocking rate across the South Burnett, with the number of complaints in one town jumping by a staggering 67 per cent since 2020.

The latest figures released by the animal welfare organisation show Queensland inspectors responded to 16,331 animal welfare complaints in 2021, including more than 150 across the South Burnett.

Kingaroy was among the towns that recorded 49+ complaints last year, with inspectors responding to 59 in total.

The peanut capital ranked 33 on the RSPCA’s hotspot list.

"Dolly" the English Staffordshire Bull Terrier was rescued from a Nanango property last year. Photo/RSPCA.

In an alarming trend, Nanango recorded a 67 per cent increase, with the RSPCA responding to 30 complaints compared to 18 last year.

One victim was a Staffordshire Bull Terrier named Dolly, who was rescued from a Nanango property in April.

Lisa Radford, 33, pleaded guilty in Kingaroy Magistrates Court last year to breaching her duty of care to Dolly after failing to have Dolly treated for mange and an eye infection, leaving her severely swollen and scabbed for months.

"Dolly" the English Staffordshire Bull Terrier was rescued from a Nanango property last year. Photo/RSPCA.

Co-defendant Clint Buckland, 42, entered a written plea of guilty and was dealt with by the court in his absence.

Radford and Buckland were each fined $1000 and ordered to pay compensation for Dolly’s vet costs.

No convictions were recorded.

By July last year, Dolly had made a full recovery and was able to be adopted.

"Dolly" the English Staffordshire Bull Terrier. Photo/RSPCA.

Across the South Burnett inspectors responded to 18 complaints in Woodroonden, 12 in Ficks Crossing, nine in Blackbutt South, seven in Yarraman, six in Proston, eight in Goomeri, three in Tingoora, and two in Mondure.

Ms Lagoon urged anyone with an animal welfare concern to report it to RSPCA Queensland on 1300 ANIMAL (1300 264 625) or email [e-mail].

“We hope increased reports to our team about welfare concerns also means people are becoming savvier and more proactive in their suburbs,” she said.

Originally published as Worst suburbs for animal cruelty complaints in South Burnett revealed