Thanks to the help of incredible supporters like you, our team of inspectors is able to seek justice through the legal system for precious animals who are abused or neglected.

Incredibly, often the mistreatment is not by a stranger, but at the hands of animals’ owners.

This is the situation that confronted our inspectors in early 2018, when they discovered Rosco – a beautiful 8-year-old (at the time) Rhodesian Ridgeback – who suffered a serious leg injury from a suspected car hit, which was then left untreated by his owner.

Rosco’s right hind leg was severely swollen with an open wound – causing him a great deal of pain and discomfort, and stopping him from living an active and happy life.

Our inspectors seize Rosco to give him the treatment he needs

Thankfully, our investigating inspectorate team had enough evidence to warrant seizing Rosco from his owner and bringing him into the official care of RSPCA.

After undertaking x-rays, veterinarians determined that Rosco had a broken hock, which would require orthopedic surgery followed by weeks of intensive rehabilitation.

What we stand for

It’s so important for RSPCA to bring prosecution cases against animal cruelty offenders under South Australia’s Animal Welfare Act to act as a deterrent for similar offences.

Rosco’s former owner, a Blair Athol woman, was charged with breach of duty of care to an animal, and was last year convicted in the Adelaide Magistrates Court of ill-treating Rosco by failing to mitigate harm to him and treat his broken leg.

She received a two-year good behaviour bond, was ordered to pay $2,350 in veterinarian legal costs, and was banned from owning all animals for two years.

Meanwhile, Rosco was ready to be given a wonderful second chance.

A happy ending for Rosco, as a temporary foster home turns into a lifelong home of love

Thankfully, Rosco’s emotional wounds were also able to be treated by his wonderful foster carers Cody and Jasmine.

The brave Rhodesian Ridgeback has since made a full recovery and continues to bask in Cody and Jasmine’s love.

Cody and Jasmine’s affection for Rosco grew so strong that they eventually adopted him as a permanent member of their family.

“At first, Rosco was a bit ‘stand-offish’,” Cody says.

“He didn’t want us touching him – especially his leg. But after a while he let his defences down and we started to see some adorable puppy-like elements coming out in him,” Cody tells us.

“These days, Rosco is the one who comforts us,” Cody adds.

RSPCA is the only South Australian charity with legal power to investigate animal cruelty – but inspectors rely on the public to be their eyes and ears. That’s why RSPCA has again launched its Combat Cruelty campaign, which asks South Australians to take the pledge to combat cruelty.