RSPCA reveals shock increase in animal cruelty and neglect reports in the South West region

The RSPCA has revealed an alarming increase in animal cruelty reports in the South West in the hottest months of this year. People in the region were the subject of a total of 143 cruelty reports made between January 1 and this week — 16 relating to animals being left in vehicles, 44 about insufficient food and water, and 29 about insufficient shelter. In comparison, 113 reports were made in the same period last year, with 10 relating to animals left in vehicles, 37 about insufficient food and water, and 19 about animals with insufficient shelter. The data shows an increase across all categories. With 13 days over 35C in the Bunbury area alone in the first two months of 2024, RSPCA WA has felt the impact on its work. Executive manager of animal and enforcement operations Hannah Dreaver said it was alarming to see an increase across all three heat-related welfare statistics. “The most concerning statistic here is the more than 50 per cent increase in reports about animals left without sufficient shelter,” she said. “We are receiving far too many reports of this happening, and it is really disheartening. “It is likely the heatwaves contributed to increased concerns for those animals who are usually kept in people’s backyards. “On these hotter days, we are asking people to consider if they are outside and feeling affected by the heat, then so is their animal.” Ms Dreaver said many of the insufficient shelter reports were related to dogs being confined in backyards in the hot sun — often without any refuge from the heat. “To see an increase in reports made about dogs in hot cars, as well as an increase in reports of animals left without adequate food and water, is alarming and shows us the unprecedented temperatures over the past two months have had a devastating effect on pets and our workforce,” she said. “A jump like that increases the load on our inspectorate and animal services teams who have worked hard this season investigating these reports and caring for those animals in need.” The RSPCA relies on the community to report incidents of suspected cruelty and neglect. Report cruelty 24/7 on 1300 CRUELTY (1300 278 358) or at rspcawa.org.au.