Animal cruelty in Western Australia has dramatically increased over the past year, according to a report by RSPCA WA.
Reports of malicious beating and wounding of animals have jumped by 73 per cent from 2016-17 to the current financial year, while cases of tormenting have spiked by 67 per cent.
Most attacks have been against dogs and puppies, RSPCA WA says, but cats, native wildlife and livestock in rural areas have also been targeted.
RSPCA WA chief inspector Amanda Swift said the escalation in violent acts of cruelty was very concerning.
"And what really worries us is the spread of violence to areas like the far north of WA, where we don't have a presence yet," Ms Swift said.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
Neighbours frustrated by barking dogs or wandering cats were suspected of baiting and poisoning pets, with about 100 complaints made throughout the state.
There appears to be no trend to where baiting occurred, with reports coming from across the state including affluent Perth suburbs, the report shows.
About 40 to 50 calls are made to the RSPCA's cruelty hotline daily, with the not-for-profit organisation's WA chief executive David van Ooran saying more people were speaking out against animal cruelty.
"Part of the reason we have more reports is that people are taking action when they see something wrong," he said.
"There are only 12 inspectors in WA, which is why we rely on the public to be our eyes and ears on the ground and report cruelty when they see it."
