Campaspe Shire is ranked the 20th worst local government area in Victoria for cruelty to animals, a statistic uncovered by a new interactive cruelty data map by the RSPCA.
The shire’s high ranking, from a total of 79 included on the RSPCA ranking by reports per capita, comes after 107 reports of animal cruelty came from the region in 2021-22.
Campaspe Shire is actually 38th when it comes to the total number of reports received by the RSPCA, it is only when the population is considered that the ranking dramatically increases.
The brand new online, interactive map launched by RSPCA Victoria lets the community track rates of animal cruelty in their own local government area (LGA) and across the state, with the animal charity also releasing three simple steps Victorians can take to help stamp out cruelty.
The interactive animal cruelty map on the RSPCA Victoria website shows where LGAs rank for animal cruelty during the past two financial years, with Geelong and Casey holding the unfortunate top spots for overall number of reports received for the second year running.
When it comes to number of cruelty reports per capita, Pyrenees and Strathbogie shire councils were in first and second place.
There were 552 reports of animal cruelty in 2021-22 in Greater Geelong, while the much smaller Strathbogie Shire (which has its headquarters in Euroa) had 191 cases.
Latest data from the 2021/22 financial year shows neglect continues to be the most common type of report received.
During the year RSPCA Victoria’s Inspectorate responded to 10,577 cruelty reports, with neglect the basis for almost half (46 per cent), meaning members of the community had reported knowledge of animals subjected to lack of food, water, shelter or veterinary care.
Other types of neglect included poor husbandry, lack of appropriate hygiene and insufficient grooming, shearing and farriery for horses.
Three steps Victorians can take to help end animal cruelty:
STEP 1 — If you have pets or are in charge of animals, make sure they provide them with: sufficient food, access to clean water all the time, adequate shelter, clean and secure living space, regular veterinary checks and prompt vet care if unwell or injured, regular grooming (e.g. some breeds of dog and cat), dental checks and farrier visits for horses.
STEP 2 — If you are struggling to care for your animals don’t ignore the problem — reach out for help: speak with your vet about your options, contact your local animal shelter or RSPCA Victoria, consider surrendering your pet to an animal shelter, so it can receive proper care and be rehomed.
STEP 3 — If you are concerned about animal cruelty: report it to RSPCA Victoria by phoning (03) 9224 2222 — line is open 24/7, visit www.rspcavic.org and make an online report.