RSPCA Victoria is appealing for an end to verbal and physical abuse against its inspectors as they investigate animal cruelty across the state.
In addition to the verbal abuse faced on a daily basis, RSPCA Victoria inspectors have been charged at, and in one case had a vehicle lifted by a forklift preventing them from leaving a dangerous situation.
Speaking about their safety RSPCA Victoria CEO Dr Liz Walker said the abuse they face in the line of duty is unacceptable.
“Our inspectors are authorised officers and are on the frontline investigating animal cruelty offences across the state, the last thing they need, when trying to help animals who are suffering, is to be abused in the process,” Dr Walker said.
“It’s already tough enough investigating severely neglected, injured or abused animals and this often involves attending properties riddled with animal faeces, unsafe ammonia levels due to animal urine, pests, vermin, and often crowded with mountains of rubbish sometimes as tall as they are.
“We understand it can be distressing to have an animal cruelty report investigated; however, our Inspectors focus is always on the wellbeing of the animals and, in the majority of cases, helping animal owners meet their pet’s needs.
“Our top priority is ensuring our frontline Inspectors investigating animal cruelty reports are kept safe and ensuring the state’s most vulnerable animals get the help they need.”
In 2024 more than a quarter of all Inspectorate reports had a ‘Violent Person of Interest’ flagged, an increase on previous years.
RSPCA Victoria’s Inspectorate currently has only 28 Inspectors on the road, and at times, this can be as low as 15, with ongoing Victorian government funding only covering around 21 per cent of inspectorate operations and animal care costs.
Despite this, RSPCA Victoria is forecasting a nearly 25 per cent increase in animal cruelty reports this financial year, with this small team now required to investigate up to 11,000 reports.
“Sadly, it’s not just animals being abused, and this kind of behaviour will not be tolerated,” Dr Walker said.
“As cost-of-living pressures continue to affect people, their pets will continue to be impacted, and our Inspectorate services are needed more than ever before.
“In addition to animal neglect being investigated, our Inspectors are also investigating instances of malicious animal cruelty as well, so we’re calling on people to help us, keep helping the state’s most vulnerable animals by treating our Inspectors with respect.”
It’s estimated it will cost RSPCA Victoria more than $10.8 million to operate the inspectorate this financial year.
