Kalgoorlie-Boulder continues to be an animal cruelty hot spot despite 30 per cent decrease in reports

Reports of animal cruelty from Kalgoorlie-Boulder have continued to decrease, but the city remains in the top-four regional areas for reports to RSPCA WA. The animal welfare charity recently released data revealing areas across the State with the greatest number of reports for the 2023-24 financial year, with Kalgoorlie-Boulder coming in fourth. Kalgoorlie-Boulder residents made 116 reports to the RSPCA, 27 per cent down on the previous year. The charity answered 17,848 cruelty hotline calls, an 8 per cent increase, with inspectors investigating 7138 cases — an average of nearly 20 a day. Of the cases reported, nearly 3400 of them related to the ill-treatment of animals and almost 1900 were for insufficient food or water. RSPCA WA executive manager animal and enforcement operations Hannah Dreaver said the cost-of-living and housing crises were key themes in 2023-24. “Reports about owners failing to alleviate harm rose by 19 per cent last financial year, following on from an 18 per cent jump the year before,” she said. “Meanwhile, reports of animals without enough food and water were up by 25 per cent. “On the surface these reports might seem less serious than violent acts of cruelty, but the sad reality is, the animals in these cases have often suffered day in, day out for weeks or months. “We understand owners fall on hard financial times, but ignoring your pet’s pain or hunger is not a solution, it’s animal cruelty.” Ms Dreaver said most of the cases prosecuted by RSPCA WA last financial year related to animals deprived of their most basic needs. “In 2023-24, RSPCA WA finalised 36 prosecutions relating to 59 dogs, nine cats, seven birds or poultry, six equine, five goats, a sheep and a pig,” she said. “Many cases related to animals without adequate food and water and failure to seek vet care which is likely a reflection of broader societal issues impacting our community. “Other shocking cruelty cases included Bear, an 18-year-old dog who needed urgent vet care, and Maverick and Mossy, two horses who were starved by their owner.” Greater Geraldton topped this year’s list with 214 reports, and Albany and Bunbury tied in second with 158 reports each. Ms Dreaver said RSPCA WA had ramped up events such as Community Action Days to help struggling pet owners, especially in hot spots where cruelty was prevalent. “With the rising cost of living hitting WA families hard, we’re worried neglect of those basic needs is only going to increase,” she said. “If you’re no longer able to care for your animals to the standard they deserve you must reach out for help sooner rather than later.”