Reporting Cruelty

Report cruelty to animals by calling the RSPCA’s cruelty hotline on (02) 9770 7555.

Your complaint will be dealt with according to how urgent it is. Any animal in immediate and serious danger will receive urgent attention. However please remember that sometimes inspectors have to travel long distances to reach an animal in danger.

FAQs

Why can’t I make an anonymous complaint?

When reporting cruelty, you will be asked for your name and contact details. These are kept confidential and never passed on to the offender. They are needed so an inspector can contact you for further information or if you have actually witnessed an offence taking place. You must have seen the animal and its condition for an inspector to have grounds to enter a person’sproperty. You can make an anonymous complaint in certain circumstances only – if you are aware of dog fighting or cock fighting.

What happens if I can’t get through to the hotline?

If an animal is in immediate danger, such as trapped in a hot car, call your local police who can act under the same laws as an RSPCA inspector.

What information can I be given during the course of an investigation?

You can ring the cruelty hotline for information at any time. If an investigation has found no breach of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act or, if an owner has been issued instructions about the welfare of an animal, you will be given this information. However, in many cases, details of an investigation cannot be given out.

What if no-one calls me back?

Email rspcainspectors@rspcansw.org.au and your query will be dealt with.

Why does it take so long for anything to happen about my complaint?

A cruelty investigation takes time and taking a matter to court can be a lengthy procedure. It sometimes takes months or even years for a court case to be finalised.

Will I have to go to court?

Yes possibly, especially if you have been an eye witness to cruelty or neglect.

What an Inspector cannot do

An RSPCA inspector cannot solve a dispute with your neighbour over problem animals.

An inspector cannot deal with barking dogs or catch stray or wandering dogs. These are all problems for your local council.

An inspector cannot remove an animal unless there is a clear breach of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. We cannot take an animal from its owner just because someone else would provide a better home for it. We can, however encourage an owner to surrender an animal or provide information which may improve an animal’s life.

A dangerous dog should be reported to your local council. However if an animal is provoked into fighting another animal, an inspector can investigate.

Avoid all cruelty

• Provide proper and sufficient food, care and housing for your pet
• See a vet if your animal is sick or injured
• Do not torment, beat, kick or over-work an animal
• If you hit an animal on the road, stop and help the animal, notify it’s owner or the RSPCA
• Do not abandon any animal
• Do not chain a dog for long periods
• Exercise your pet daily
• Never put an animal in the boot of your car
• Secure your dog on the back of a ute and ensure it has shelter from sun and rain