The RSPCA have released WA’s animal cruelty hotspots in both the metropolitan and regional areas for 2017.
And four Bunbury suburbs have made the list.
Between January 1 and April 30, 2017, there have been 11 cases of animal cruelty in Bunbury, ten in Carey Park, nine in Dalyellup and eight in Withers.
The figures are showing little to no change in WA’s animal cruelty hotspots from 2016 to 2017, with some suburbs on track to record the highest number of cruelty reports for a second year in a row.
Last year, Bunbury recorded 31 cases of animal cruelty and Carey Park rounded out the top ten regional cruelty hotspots with 24 cases.
Topping the Perth Metro list for 2017 is the southern Perth suburb of Baldivis, with 40 cruelty reports made to the RSPCA’s Cruelty Hotline so far this year, closely followed by Armadale with 39. Baldivis was also Perth’s number one animal cruelty hotspot in 2016 with a total of 118 cruelty reports last year.
RSPCA WA chief inspector Amanda Swift said she’s not surprised by the data.
“Regionally, the majority of reports come from areas where our regional inspectors are stationed. That’s because when we place an Inspector in a region, the number of cruelty reports for that area go up because people know they can depend on us for help,” she said.
“We do still respond to reports in areas where inspectors are not placed by seeking assistance from the local police or shire rangers however we know this is just the tip of the iceberg.
“We desperately need more inspectors throughout WA as we currently have just 11 and we are aware of cruelty happening in locations where we can’t get to. A greater RSPCA presence across the State will mean more cases reported, and more cases responded to.”
RSPCA WA has recently launched its biggest ever appeal calling on every West Australian to chip in $20 to increase the number of RSPCA inspectors across the State to 20 – almost double the current number of Inspectors covering the whole of WA.
To donate to the 20for20 appeal, visit rspca20for20.com.au.
