Tags
animal cruelty, cruelty to animals, inspectors, Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, RSPCA, RSPCA Inspectors
When to call the RSPCA
RSPCA Inspectors aim to prevent cruelty to animals by ensuring the enforcement of existing laws at federal and state level.
Sometimes there is a fine line between an owner who is simply not aware how to look after their pet properly, and whether the laws under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Legislation have been broken. While the situation may not match how we would like to see animals cared for, if the law hasn’t been broken the best our inspectors can do is seek to educate the animal’s owner about how better to look after their pet.
Our inspectors also rescue animals and assist with the management of wildlife, livestock and companion animals during emergencies and disasters, and inspect pet shops, sale yards, abattoirs, livestock operations, breeding establishments, and places where animals are kept and used for public entertainment.
- Contact your local council if:
- – you have lost your pet
- – you are concerned about stray animals
- – you believe someone’s dog is aggressive/dangerous (or has attacked)
- – a barking dog is annoying you
Following up
We don’t have the resources to be able to call you back to let you know the progress of your complaint. If you call us to find out what happened, all we will be able to tell you if whether the Inspector has visited the premises or not; privacy laws prevent us from giving you more details.
What happens next
After we have sent the details of your call to the relevant inspector, they will prioritise your issue against other calls received. Please note that we have 32 inspectors on the road across the state, which equates to approximately one metro inspector to every 281,250 people, and one regional inspector for every 50,030 square kilometers.
We receive around 12,000 cruelty complaints each year, so our inspectors are constantly weighing up which issue needs their attention first. If the animal is not in immediate danger, it may be a few days before an inspector can investigate.
Our inspectors work closely with national enforcement agencies, in particular the police and local authorities.
We only bring a prosecution where it is necessary and where there is sufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of a conviction against each suspect on each charge. When people have shown themselves to be wholly unable to look after animals, it can be the only way to make sure that other animals are not put at risk in the future. Prosecution also serves to reinforce the important message that animal abuse and neglect are not acceptable in a civilised society.
frequently asked questions
Why can’t I make an anonymous complaint?
When making a cruelty report, you will be asked for your name and contact details. These are kept confidential and are never passed on to the offender. They are needed so an inspector can contact you for further information or to take a witness statement. You must have seen the animal and its condition for an inspector to have grounds to enter a person’s property.
What happens if I can’t get through to the hotline?
If an animal is in immediate danger, such as trapped in a hot car, call your local police who can act under the same laws as an RSPCA inspector.
Why has it taken so long for anything to happen about my complaint?
A cruelty investigation takes time and taking a matter to court can be a lengthy procedure. It sometimes takes months or even years for a court case to be finalised.
What information do I need to provide?
We need you to be our eyes, to enable us to better help you and the animal in question. So we will ask you a lot of questions to ensure we are able to provide the inspector with as much information as possible to help them prioritise the case.
- The information you provide is confidential – the person you are lodging a complaint about will never know that you called. We will ask you for:
- – Your full details including full name, address, and contact number (these details are hidden under the privacy act).
- – Person of interest’s full address and name if possible (please remember our Call Centre is in Sydney, so we may not be familiar with your local area).
- – Date and time of incident or when the animal was last sighted.
- – A detailed explanation of why you think the situation involves cruelty to the animal.
- – A physical description of the person if you believe they might be violent/ aggressive.
What information can I be given during the course of an investigation?
You can ring the cruelty hotline for information at any time. If an investigation has found no breach of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act or if an owner has been issued instructions about the welfare of an animal, you will be given this information. In many cases, however, details of an investigation cannot be given out.
Will I have to go to court?
Yes possibly, especially if you have been an eye witness to cruelty or neglect.
What if no-one calls me back?
Email the inspectors@rspcansw.org.au and your query will be dealt with as soon as possible.