Animal cruelty concerns as RSPCA drops inspectors amid violent situations in north WA (2024)

Dangerous conditions have forced West Australian RSPCA inspectors to work in pairs in a new fly-in, fly-out model that advocates say puts animals at risk.

Warning: Readers may find some details and images in this story distressing.

The animal cruelty prevention charity says operating alone is no longer safe, which has resulted in regions, such as the Kimberley, not having a permanent RSPCA inspector to oversee animal welfare.

In 2022, the charity appointed its first inspector in the Kimberley after the region recorded some of the highest animal cruelty rates in the state. However, the inspector will now not be replaced.

Since the start of the year, the RSPCA has received 90 animal cruelty reports across the state's north west, with key shires in the Kimberley recording 50 incidents.

RSPCA WA chief executive Ben Cave said the charity had moved to a two-person model to reduce the risk of challenging and violent situations for officers.

"That risk is considered too high for WA police and other agencies," he said.

"We've been committed to moving to a two-out-in-the-field model for some time, and we had to take that decision from July 1 to keep our people safe."

Metropolitan Perth and South West WA have permanent inspectors, while other regions receive visits from a team of inspectors on a "needs basis" and use the support of other agencies to assist in incidents.

Mr Cave said a projected $4 million loss this financial year meant it was impossible to base officers in every region.

"There were over 7,000 investigations last year, compared to about 150 in the Kimberley, so obviously the demand is less, and the area is huge," he said.

"We've had to make a decision to move to a fly-in, fly-out model, and we'll regularly station inspectors up there in pairs to come and work with the local community."

Mr Cave said whether the RSPCA would continue working in the Kimberley depended on funding.

"As our funding increases — and we hope that comes from donors and state government in the long term — that will enable us to have a wider presence in a wider area," he said.

Community concerned about cruelty 'under-reporting'

Saving Animals From Euthanasia (SAFE) founder Sue Hedley, who has an Order of Australia for her work, said removing permanent inspectors in north WA was "devastating" after it took years to get one in the Kimberley.

"Even though SAFE and [shire] rangers work closely together regarding animals that are ill-treated or neglected, we don't have any power at all like the RSPCA does to be able to make positive change," she said.

Ms Hedley said current statistics did not show how dire animal cruelty was in regions such as the Kimberley and Pilbara, which SAFE were confronted with regularly.

"We see awful situations — cats and dogs that have been locked in places where they can't even get out to get food and water in appalling conditions, slashed with knives, and have had boiling water poured on them," she said.

Ms Hedley said she would like more government funding for the RSPCA to reinstate regional officers.

"It's a massive area, and everything costs more, so I think funds put aside specifically for inspectors to be in the north west would be ideal," she said.

Last week, the Shire of Broome released its draft animal management plan, which included an RSPCA presence as a key recommendation.

Shire of Broome president Chris Mitchell said, ideally, officers would be based in the Kimberley again. He urged people to continue to report dog attacks and other animal injuries.

"If they don't want to report it, it's up to them, but that dog could actually attack someone else and cause significant injury next time, so we really need people to be more responsible," he said.

Agriculture Minister Jackie Jarvis said in a statement that the government supported the RSPCA's role in aiding animal welfare across the state.

"The RSPCA plays a vital role in protecting companion animals across WA by promoting and enforcing animal welfare legislation," she said.

"We continually review our funding arrangements with RSPCA."