OUR SUBURBS’ CRUEL FIGURES
ALMOST 20 cases of animal cruelty were investigated by the RSPCA each week last year, figures show.
An analysis of statewide complaints revealed there were 954 complaints made in Townsville in 2018, fewer than the year before.
Shocking images released by the RSPCA of a malnourished dog found at a Heatley property in 2017 provides some insight into the cases investigated by the service.
Lava was found with untreated wounds and malnourished with “prominent ribs, spine and hip bones”, according to the RSPCA.
The dog was seized and treated by vets, while the owner was eventually fined by a Townsville court in August 2018.
Last year, the highest number of complaints were in Kelso (88) Kirwan (83) and Deeragun (55).
Caboolture, north of Brisbane, had the most cruelty complaints in the state with 287.
RSPCA Townsville Inspector David Ferrar, one of two in the region, said suburbs with a larger population and lower socio-economic estates generally saw more complaints.
Mr Ferrar said the “bread and butter” complaints of 2018 included failure to treat animals that had been injured, confinement, insufficient as a welfare or animal cruelty issue.
Mr Ferrar said being a pet owner came with responsibilities.
“You shouldn’t buy a pet unless you are going to include it as part of your family and treat it as such,” Mr Ferrar said.
He said owners must always look after their pets which includes dealing with accidents and injuries.
Mr Ferrar praised the community for their interest in lodging complaints.
“It’s good to see people take a proactive approach if they have a concern,” he said. “It may not always be the case where there’s a welfare or cruelty matter, but certainly just the fact they’ve taken the steps to raise a concern, that is a big positive to the region.”