The truth about animal cruelty in SA
For the first time ever, we’re throwing open our animal cruelty case files, giving South Australians a no-holds-barred look at the horror of animal suffering occurring every day across our state.
We know our 2017/18 Catalogue of Cruelty files are shocking and difficult to read.
But we believe it’s only through understanding the nature and scale of what we’re dealing with that animal lovers like you can help us – the only charity with inspectors empowered to take legal action against animal abuse offenders – in our fight to combat cruelty.
For the first time, we’ve released full details of almost every case prosecuted in 2017-18.
CATALOGUE OF CRUELTY:
Our 2017-18 case files at a glance
1,324 animals were seized or surrendered into RSPCA care
8 in 10 court cases involved animal neglect
“If this had been treated and managed properly, Happy may have been able to be saved and we could have rehomed her.” – RSPCA Inspector Cheryl
“Their coats had become dreadlocks, which had all sorts embedded in them – faeces, urine, food, rubbish. The smell was terrible.” – RSPCA Inspector Cheryl
Starvation is the most common form of neglect
“Animals are suffering and dying in homes and backyards from a lack of basic care or nourishment – that’s the tragic reality of what we’re dealing with most often.”
– RSPCA Chief Inspector Andrea
17% of cases involved deliberate cruelty – 3 offenders were immediately jailed
SA’s first dog fighting prosecution
“An immediate jail sentence and indefinite ban on owning any animals is fitting for the deliberate, deceptive and cruel actions of this individual.” – RSPCA Chief Inspector Andrea
Hills man jailed for poisoning dog
“Luckily, Mia survived her ordeal and has been lovingly cared for by her family, but vets have advised she will likely face ongoing health issues due to the high levels of lead she ingested.” – RSPCA Chief Inspector Andrea
Jail time over dog death and starvation
“It was too late one dog, but luckily Jester was saved in time. The four-month jail term reflects the community’s outrage that animals could be starved in such a way.” – RSPCA Chief Inspector Andrea
Only 9 inspectors cover all of South Australia
We do receive some State Government funding to help run our inspectorate arm, but it’s not nearly enough.
We believe this work is so important that we allocate another $1.5 million – at least! – each year to ensure our inspectors can investigate more animal cruelty reports.
It’s only with generous community donations that we can keep our inspectors on the road.
The happiness of survivors keeps us going despite all the horror
* The advertising concept for our Combat Cruelty campaign is based on creative developed for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA ®) by Saatchi and Saatchi. We thank them for allowing us to use this concept and join them in preventing cruelty to animals across the globe.