Baldivis tops WA cruelty statistics

Baldivis has topped WA’s list of animal cruelty hotspots, with neighbouring Rockingham and Mandurah among the five worst-offending suburbs.

The RSPCA last week revealed almost 100 cruelty reports came from the Baldivis area in the past year and 4765 Statewide call-outs have been recorded since January.

Mandurah ranked third with 63 reports and Rockingham listed fifth with 51.

RSPCA WA community out-reach co-ordinator and inspector Nat Foster said most of the animal welfare issues she came across in these suburbs were the result of financial hardship.

“A lot of the time, it is not heinous crimes against animals that we are dealing with, it’s just people struggling during hard times or through lack of education,” she said.

“Many of the calls we receive are regarding emaciated and mal-nourished dogs, pets in need of veterinary treatment or shockingly, dogs that have been abandoned while their owners go away on holiday.” The RSPCA has been holding community action days in the offending suburbs with the inaugural event held in Rockingham last year. More than 250 people and 100 animals turned out in Armadale last Wednesday.

“Education is key and establishing the list of suburb hotspots ensures we can identify the areas in need of our help,” Ms Foster said.

“With summer fast approaching, people need to be reminded that you cannot leave your dogs in cars and must make sure they have shelter from the sun and plenty of water.”

The RSPCA has introduced a new animal welfare program called The Chain Exchange, which allows dog owners to trade in their choker chain collar for a free flat collar at the organisation’s Malaga headquarters.

Collars can also be traded at the next community outreach event, which will take place in Mandurah in early 2017.