Animal cruelty reports down in Mandurah and Rockingham

RSPCA WA has revealed which local government areas had the most animal cruelty reports in the last financial year, with Rockingham and Mandurah still in the top 10.

The 2021-22 data showed 6444 cruelty reports were made through the charity’s 24-hour Cruelty Hotline, an average of 17 a day.

There were 342 animal cruelty reports in the City of Rockingham, a 20 per cent decrease from 2020-21, while the City of Mandurah recorded a 16 per cent decrease with 203 complaints.

RSPCA CEO Ben Cave said that while cruelty reports had slowed, more than double the number of animal cruelty offenders had been sentenced in 2021-22, compared to the year prior.

"This may indicate there is more serious offending occurring across the State, such as deliberate violence and extreme neglect," he said.

"Reports about owners failing to seek vet care for sick or injured pets spiked by 20 per cent last financial year.

"Reports about animals allegedly being beaten or intentionally wounded were up 15 per cent compared to 2020-21.

"Among those reports was one of the most shocking cases RSPCA WA has seen in recent times, which resulted in an immediate jail term.

"The 28-year-old offender had viciously beaten a cat to death with a metal pole, and the whole sickening ordeal was filmed by his co-worker.

"Looking at these numbers, it can be easy to feel disheartened, but it’s important to remember that every offence reported is a person speaking up and being a voice for animals."

Animals most commonly reported were dogs and puppies, followed by cats, kittens and horses.