By Georgia Westgarth
THE RSPCA has released shocking new evidence that depicts City of Casey residents as the worst for committing violent and cruel acts on animals.
Casey ranked first out of 79 local council areas for animal cruelty.
Some 11,840 reports of animal cruelty were made to the RSPCA throughout Victoria, and the largest proportion of those came from the Casey region.
The analysis identified 15 council areas that received more than 300 animal cruelty reports last financial year.
Casey topped the list with 566 reports, while Greater Geelong City Council came in second with 554 recorded reports.
Neighbouring district Cardinia Shire also made the top 15 councils with 349 and Greater Dandenong City Council recorded 303 reports, rounding out the list.
The majority of cruelty reports in Casey related to dogs, with 329 reports.
Cruelty towards cats made up 67 reports and concerns for horses were called through to the RSPCA 88 times.
Many of the reports in Casey related to poor hygiene, grooming and housing conditions.
Some 77 reports related to animals being beaten or wounded in the region.
RSPCA CEO Dr Liz Walker said a particularly disturbing trend was that many of the issues reported involved “very basic animal welfare matters,” such as the way animals are housed and fed.
“We know that the community is becoming more concerned about animal welfare – which may be part of the reason for the continued rise in report numbers,” Dr Walker said.
