By Mikayla van Loon
Reports of horse-related cruelty in the Yarra Ranges topped the rankings across the state last financial year, something RSPCA Victoria would like to see improve at the turn of 2024.
Noting the sheer size of the local government area and an increase in financial difficulty across the state, an RSPCA Victoria spokesperson said despite this, it was unacceptable for animals to be mistreated, intentionally or otherwise.
“Regardless of someone’s individual circumstance the RSPCA Inspectorate encourages people to educate themselves on what care may be necessary for their horse/s based on their location,” the spokesperson said.
“[This includes] focusing on the husbandry needs of their animal and nutritional requirements, and to seek assistance if they are struggling to provide for their animals in their care, rather than allow poor welfare.
“All owners have a responsibility to ensure that their animal’s welfare needs are met.”
In total, 73 reports relating to a horse’s welfare were made in the Yarra Ranges, followed by Cardinia Shire Council with 66 reports and Greater Bendigo with 56.
Animal welfare and cruelty reports have been making a steady increase throughout the shire since the 2019/20 financial year according to RSPCA’s interactive animal cruelty map.
In that first year of recorded data, 290 reports were made in the Yarra Ranges, a number that has increased to 310 this financial year, placing the LGA in the top 10 of reports.
It is the role of RSPCA inspectors to investigate and substantiate any and all reports made regarding animal welfare.
“RSPCA Inspectors will attend a premise and conduct an investigation in order to determine if there are any welfare issues and potential breaches of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act (1986),” the spokesperson said.
“In some cases, an Inspector may determine the animal is totally fine and no action is required. Where there are welfare issues our Inspectors may work with the animal’s owner to educate and help them understand what needs to be done to help their animal; this can be informal, or it can be formal with legal notices to comply being issued.
“In some cases, if the animal is at immediate risk and an owner is not able to resolve the matter, our Inspectors may need to seize the animal to ensure it receives the required treatment to ensure its welfare.”
With the Yarra Ranges spanning close to 2500 square kilometres, with much of it being semi-rural, the RSPCA spokesperson said it has “a lot of horse properties including agistment and is a real equine hub”.
“Its size, and being an equine hub, in combination with the number of visitors to the Yarra Valley who may report animal welfare concerns to the RSPCA means it’s no surprise it received a high number of cruelty complaints,” they said.
The most common reports relate to husbandry issues, including lameness, lack of farrier attention and overgrown hooves.
Second to that, reports of insufficient food, treatment of a sick or injured animal, shelter, and/or water rounded out common reports.
An increase in reporting of these issues statewide, the spokesperson said, could be related to the challenging financial situation many people find themselves in.
“In general RSPCA Inspectors have noticed an increase in issues of owners having financial difficulties across the state, this often results in an inability to provide the appropriate care to their animals.
“So far there has been an increase in poor living conditions and hoarding of excess animals across the state.
“This has been a consistent trend since the pandemic with RSPCA Inspectors continuing to observe financial and mental health issues as a contributing factor on people’s capacity to provide appropriate care to their animals.”
Encouraging the community to work towards better outcomes for animals and end cruelty, RSPCA Victoria said every report makes a difference to improving welfare.
Anyone with concerns for the welfare of an animal such as horses, including underweight or sick/injured animals not being provided with appropriate care, is encouraged to contact RSPCA Victoria on 03 9224 2222 or submit a report at rspcavic.org/cruelty-report/
