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The RSPCA has released its latest animal cruelty hotspots in WA, with the South West seeing an increase in reports.
Warning: Readers may find some details and images in this story distressing.
In the 2023/24 financial year, there were 1,165 reports of animal cruelty across regional WA.
For the South West region, there were 467 reports.
The Shire of Capel had a 51 per cent increase in animal cruelty reports, the highest in the South West, while Bunbury saw an increase of 9 per cent.
RSPCA WA inspector Genna Haines has covered the South West district for seven years.
In April she was called to Usher, a suburb of Bunbury, following reports that Blaze, a three-year-old American Staffordshire bull terrier had open wounds to his back, neck, shoulders and head.
An RSPCA vet was unable to determine the exact cause of Blaze's injuries, but believed them to be the result of a dog fight or burns. (Supplied: RSPCA WA )
"We were never able to find where those injuries came from, but when we got him to a vet they told us the wounds had been there for about 10 to 14 days," Ms Haines said.
"But we were able to successfully prosecute the owner.
"It is the best, worst job. Some days are really rewarding, especially when you get a great outcome for the animal, but then some days can be quite harrowing."
Larry Ronald Joseph Williams, Blaze's 27-year-old owner, failed to appear in the Bunbury Magistrates Court on Thursday, September 19.
The RSPCA highlighted comments by Magistrate Stephen Butcher as to the seriousness of the case.
The magistrate said the offender's reasons for why Blaze had injures were "internally inconsistent and implausible".
“If it was not so serious it would be laughable that he thought Blaze turned into a zombie and started eating himself,” Magistrate Butcher said.
“[It is] plain as the nose on my face that anyone can open their eyes and see the injuries which make the lies more implausible.”
Williams was convicted and fined $5,000 for not taking reasonable steps to prevent an animal suffering harm.
He has also been banned from owning an animal for five years.
Ms Haines said Blaze is almost fully healed and will soon be placed up for adoption.
RSPCA South West inspector Genna Haines says she has "the best, worst job". (ABC South West: Jacquie Lynch)
According to the RSPCA's report, incidents of animals without enough food and water across WA increased by 25 per cent.
Neglect, abuse and failure to alleviate harm were also among the top offences, with the charity placing blame on cost-of-living and housing crises as key factors.
| RANK | REPORTS | LGA | CHANGE |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 214 | Geraldton | 14% up |
| 2 | 158 | Albany | 16% down |
| 2 | 158 | Bunbury | 8% up |
| 3 | 116 | Kalgoorlie-Boulder | 27% down |
| 4 | 112 | Busselton | 7% down |
| 5 | 74 | Capel | 51% up |
| 5 | 74 | Harvey | 20% down |
| 6 | 61 | Broome | 17% down |
| 7 | 60 | Northam | 20% up |
More education needed, says rescue group
Half of the animals surrendered to the Bunbury Animal Rescue Rehome Care Group are from people who want to keep their pet, but have to give it up in order to enter housing.
President Sally Dixon says the problem is bigger than what's on the surface.
"For starters there's just not enough practising vets for people to access," Ms Dixon said.
"And there's one person only with the RSPCA covering the area."
Bunbury Animal Rescue Rehome Care Group president Sally Dixon says the figures in the cruelty report are not surprising. (Supplied: BARRC )
Ms Dixon told ABC South West radio there needs to be more education when it comes to tackling animal cruelty.
"In some cases cruelty or neglect doesn't necessarily stem from a lack of understanding of proper animal care. Sometimes people provide an adequate level of care which constitutes as animal cruelty," she said.
"It's a lack of education about what proper care looks like."
Recruitment struggles
RSPCA WA has 10 general inspectors across Western Australia, with two permanent inspectors now based in the South West.
In July, safety concerns forced the charity to send inspectors out to animal cruelty investigations in pairs.
The charity also decided not to replace its Kimberley district inspector earlier this year.
RSPCA WA executive manager of animal and enforcement operations Hannah Dreaver says there are many challenges in placing inspectors in the regions permanently.
"[These include] recruitment and retention of staff, regional housing issues and training opportunities. We only have one main office facility in WA," Ms Dreaver said.
"We want to provide the most efficient service to the WA community by visiting regional areas on a rotating basis.
"We have begun the process of recruiting and training more inspectors."