RSPCA NSW has appointed a second inspector in the Hunter to cope with an increased workload at the same time as animal rescue groups say the spate of animal cruelty cases reported recently in the media are only the tip of the iceberg.
Scotty, a Pekingese, was nursed back to health by Sue Barker, of Warners Bay, after being set alight and found in the street suffering third degree burns.
Ms Barker, Dog Rescue Newcastle carer co-ordinator, owns three dogs and looks after several rescued animals. She said she could not bear to give Scotty away to another home after everything he had been through.
"I have been doing rescues for 30 years and animal cruelty in the Hunter is the worst I've ever seen. We are performing rescues on a daily basis. It's horrifying and shocking. There are some places, such as Kurri and Cessnock, where it's particularly bad. The RSPCA isn't called to the majority of cruelty cases we see," she said.
Four Paws Rescue founding member Colleen Moloney also said animal cruelty in the Hunter was the worst she has witnessed.
RSPCA NSW collects statistics on complaints, offences and prosecutions on a state-wide basis and is currently unable to provide a regional break-up of its figures. However, its draft annual report shows during the last financial year complaints and offences increased, with a total of 13,649 complaints resulting in 835 offences and 129 defendants being prosecuted.
Hunter RSPCA inspector Dean Hawkins said he investigates more than 100 animal cruelty cases a month and there has been a marked increase in the workload over the last 12 months.
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