City in top 4 for animal cruelty

Bunbury has been revealed as the fourth worst offender on the Top 10 Regional Cruelty Hot Spots for 2017, with 163 reported cases of animal cruelty recorded – 20 more than the previous year.

Shire of Harvey was listed fifth, with 92 reported cases – a significant drop from 122 in 2016 – Collie eighth with 55, Capel ninth at 54 and Dardanup rounding out the top 10 with 45 incidents.

RSPCA revealed the hot spots in support of its 20for20 campaign launched last week, which asked West Australians to chip in $20 to help get 20 new inspectors on the road.

The are only 12 inspectors across the State and only four covering regional WA – including one for the entire South West region.

Despite the damning statistics, RSPCA chief inspector Amanda Swift said it was good to see people take action and report cases of animal cruelty.

“The community are our eyes and ears on the ground, so it’s good to know more people are willing to report animal cruelty,” she said.

She said it was a good sign to see less animal cruelty occurring in Harvey, but urged the community not to become complacent.

“The Harvey community should be acknowledged, but I’d also ask them to remain vigilant and report cruelty if they see it,” she said.

Ms Swift said the South West community could help by reporting anything suspicious at 1300 CRUELTY or ask for help if struggling to care for a sick pet.

“We don’t want animals to suffer unnecessarily due to finances,” she said.

Bunbury and Eaton Vet Clinic director Braden Collins believed many incidents of animal abuse were under-reported.

“My own dog Marvin is an example of the abuse which is out there but largely unreported,” he said.

“He was shoved in a cat cage and dumped in a park in Withers on a really hot day.

“He was a fully grown golden retriever so he should have weighed 35kg and he weighed 12kg when we got him.

“Quite often these things don’t come to light as quickly as they should.”

Mr Collins encouraged anyone concerned with their ability to look after their pets to bring them to the clinic without fear of judgement.

“We will do everything we can to help you,” he said

Visit www.rspca20for20.com.au for more information or to donate.