The RSPCA received more than 600 calls about animal cruelty in Hume and Whittlesea in the 12 months to June.
The latest data from the animal welfare organisation reveals Hume had the sixth most calls about animal mismanagement in the state, with 324 calls made in 2016-17.
Whittlesea ranked ninth, with 293 calls.
Geelong was named as Victoria’s animal cruelty hotspot, with the RSPCA receiving 584 calls.
In Victoria, animal cruelty can be investigated by inspectors authorised under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 from the RSPCA, councils, Victoria Police and Agriculture Victoria.
Chief executive Liz Walker said 10,180 cruelty reports were made across the state in the past financial year.
Most reports made in Hume and Whittlesea related to dogs and puppies, with 380 reports made across both municipalities.
One hundred and five calls were made about cats and kittens, while 99 involved horses.
Most concerns were that animals had insufficient access to food, water or shelter and about hygiene, grooming and housing conditions.
Dr Walker said the RSPCA was working more closely with councils on local animal welfare issues and on tailored, local initiatives to educate owners and to better protect animals.
“In most cases, concerns reported to us are quickly resolved by our inspectors educating the owner or person in charge of the animals involved, and reminding them of their legal obligations to care for their animals,” she said.
“In some cases, a stronger response is needed; a notice to comply, seizing and taking an animal into protective custody or – when all else fails – prosecuting.”
In June, the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning called for public help after a kangaroo was found shot and tied to a chair in Mernda, wearing a leopard-print shawl and cap, with a bottle of ouzo in its arms.
