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7 DECEMBER, 2022
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Animal cruelty disgrace By Fatima Halloum
Fashionable day out at the races
Wyndham has reported the third highest number of animal cruelty cases in the state, according to a report released by RSPCA Victoria. A total of 379 cases were lodged in Wyndham for the 2021-22 year, with the top reported issues including unsafe living conditions, underweight animals, and sick/injured pets not being provided veterinary treatment. RSPCA Victoria chief inspector Michael Stagg stressed the importance of animal owners learning and fulfilling the specific needs of their pets, in terms of food, water, shelter, grooming and exercise. “In addition to the rising cost of living, which may impact the ability of some to care for their pets, many Victorians adopted pets during the pandemic, some as first-time pet owners who may still require information or support to help them understand how to best care for their animals,” Mr Stagg. Cases of animal cruelty increased by 8.9 per cent when compared to 2020-21, when Wyndham ranked fourth in the state. In an effort to raise community awareness, the RSPCA has since launched an online interactive map that allows the community to track rates of animal cruelty in their government area. “The perception of animal cruelty relates to deliberate acts such as beating or wounding, and while this does occur, the data consistently shows the most common form of cruelty is neglect,” Mr Stagg said. “There are many responsible pet ownership resources available, and we encourage anyone who is the owner or person in charge of animals to be aware of their responsibilities to provide care, or alternatively to seek help from their local council, a veterinarian or animal welfare organisation,” he said. Mr Stagg said pet owners needed to be aware of the legal and moral obligations they have to their animals. “Neglect is against the law and is never acceptable therefore we will hold people to account if they do not meet the required standards of care,” he said. The most commonly reported animals subjected to animal abuse in Wyndham included cats, dogs and birds. Greater Geelong and Casey recorded the highest cases of animal cruelty, with 552 and 531 reports respectively.
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Werribee Cup in pictures: Page 12
Leandra with son Tristyn.
(Joe Mastroianni)
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Not even the stuffy heat of a 30 degree day could rein in the excitement from hundreds of horse racing enthusiasts attending the annual Werribee Cup. Werribee resident Michael Stewart said the event provides a good day out for locals, who can “relax, enjoy something to eat, and hopefully try to get a win”. “We need this in country Werribee. It brings people together, you catch up with people you haven’t seen in years,“ he said. “Everything is sky rocketing, you have to come out every now and then, sometimes you gotta say ’stuff it, I need a day out, I win or I lose, who cares.” Despite moving to Drysdale, former Wyndham resident Ken Beament still makes the hour-long drive each year to catch the action. “It [marks] the start of the summer, that’s why I come out,” he said. Vardani, jockeyed by Declan Bates, secured the $125,000 Werribee Cup.