and other routine veterinary work. Inspectors in Canberra continue to do an excellent job. With an ever increasing workload, the demand for our services and support has never been greater. We deliver a vital and important service to our community and know we make a positive difference to the lives of so many animals.
There were over 1,100 complaints during the financial year, leading to a decision to expand our inspectorate to three full time staff. This proved to be a necessary and important step in protecting Canberra’s animals. We were successful in a number of matters that proceeded to court, however, in our opinion fines levied remain too light and the message that animal cruelty is unacceptable is not being backed by tough penalties. Some of the most difficult cases presented this year were the series of poisonings in Richardson. Frustratingly, no offender was ever brought to justice and five dogs died as a result of what we believe to be deliberate poisoning. The majority of our complaints related to dogs. Complaints were about dogs being tied up with insufficient shelter and water, dogs in cars, and thin and malnourished dogs. Of the cat complaints received, the most common was abandonment. Other complaints related to cats with cancer requiring veterinary treatment, and cats and kittens in people’s yards. A significant amount of our time is spent supporting sufferers of mental illnesses, drug and alcohol abusers and other vulnerable members of the community. We are often called on to assist with neighbourhood and domestic disputes where animals are at risk. In one case an inspector dealt with a motorcycle gang, well known names in the underworld, and subsequently removed their cats after someone had taken to their flat with a baseball bat.
Inspectorate Animals investigated Dogs Cats Small domestic1 Horses Stock2 Native3 Other4 Community support5 Total Cruelty types investigated Neglect/Cruelty Abandoned Living conditions Total
699 149 54 29 32 4 10 146 1123
642 86 110 838
Includes guinea pigs, birds, ferrets, rabbits, rodents.
1
Inspectors attended the Squalor Conference held by the Southside Community Centre in January. This was an important gathering of people involved with supporting members of the community who are at risk. On more than 240 occasions inspectors assisted low socio-economically placed members of our community with access to discounted veterinary treatment, including desexing, worming, vaccinating
Includes cattle, poultry, sheep.
2
Includes kangaroos, possums.
3
Includes fish, peacock, turtle, pet shops (various animals).
4
Of animals investigated, 146 were not cruelty related. RSPCA inspectors support vulnerable members of the community experiencing sudden illness or hospitalisation, mental health issues, domestic violence, substance abuse or police matters. Support is provided by way of emergency boarding, feeding, veterinary care and transport. 5
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