Animal cruelty reports in Cardinia Shire are below the state average, but there’s still room for improvement, according to RSPCA Victoria.
Data released on 15 August reveals the animal welfare agency received 203 cruelty reports relating to animal welfare in Cardinia during the past financial year, which equates to one report for every 464 residents.
This fell below the state-wide average of one report per 581 residents.
Locally, welfare concerns for dogs, cats and horses continued to make up the majority of issues reported to RSPCA Victoria.
Of the 203 reports received in Cardinia, 95 involved dogs and puppies, 25 involved cats and kittens and 53 involved horses.
According to the agency, 115 local reports related to animals with insufficient food, water or shelter; 72 raised concerns about hygiene, grooming and housing conditions; 57 reported underweight animals; 41 involved sick or injured animals not receiving vet treatment; 24 highlighted concerns about animals being beaten or wounded and 14 involved abandoned animals.
RSPCA Victoria CEO Liz Walker said understanding local areas’ rate of cruelty reporting and the different offences was critical to ensuring that RSPCA Victoria directed its education, advocacy and enforcement efforts to the places that need it most.
“This year, RSPCA Victoria has started working more closely with local councils to understand local animal welfare issues, and to put in place tailored, local initiatives to educate owners and better protect animals,” Dr Walker said.
She said it was disappointing that as with last year’s data, the majority of offences involved animals not receiving basic care.
“It’s disappointing to see that, for the second year in a row, too many Victorian animals were reported to us because of concerns about very basic issues: food, water, shelter and vet care when they’re sick or injured. These kinds of problems are so preventable,” Dr Walker said.
“Whether it’s asking family or friends for support, seeking assistance from animal welfare groups, or surrendering animals to be rehomed, we would strongly encourage owners who aren’t keeping up with the basics to seek help to care for their animals.”
