By Alexandra Laskie
The RSPCA received almost 250 calls about animal cruelty in Brimbank in the year to June 30.
The latest data from the animal welfare organisation reveals Brimbank had the 16th most calls about animal mistreatment in the state. Casey council had the most reports (566), followed by Geelong (554) and Melbourne (479).
In Victoria, animal cruelty can be investigated by inspectors authorised under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 from the RSPCA, councils, Victoria Police and Agriculture Victoria.
The RSPCA primarily investigates complaints about companion animals, horses and hobby farm animals.
Chief executive Liz Walker said it received 11,840 reports about animal cruelty across the state, of which 243 were from Brimbank.
Most of the calls related to mistreatment of dogs (164) and puppies (12), cats (39) and kittens (7), and one was about a horse.
“Every one cruelty issue is too many, yet the number of reports we receive is steadily increasing every year,” Dr Walker said.
“We know that the community is becoming increasingly concerned about animal welfare, which may be part of the reason for the continued rise in report numbers.”
Almost 70 of the calls about animal cruelty in Brimbank concerned animal housing conditions, poor hygiene and grooming, while 38 were about animals being beaten or wounded.
A puppy has died after receiving lethal injuries at a St Albans home earlier this week. https://t.co/qCGsWeU1u3
— Brimbank Star Weekly (@BrimbankWeekly) May 27, 2016
In May, a four-month-old Staffordshire puppy died in St Albans after receiving lethal injuries.
An RSPCA investigation found there was insufficient information to prosecute and the case was recently closed.
Crime Statistics agency data shows five offences were reported to police about animal cruelty in Brimbank in the year to March 31.
