By Esther Lauaki
The RSPCA is investigating a disturbing act of animal cruelty in which a pet rabbit survived being flung against a roof and tossed off a first floor balcony.
Two videos emerged on Facebook in recent weeks of a young man mistreating a white rabbit. People can be heard laughing when the animal hits the verandah ceiling in one of the clips.
The incidents were believed to have occurred in Melbourne’s western suburbs and the videos were being circulated on Snapchat and Facebook. Animal lovers condemned the young man’s actions on a Caroline Springs residents’ page.
RSPCA Victoria inspectorate team leader Karen Collier said an investigation is ongoing to pinpoint the exact location and catch the people involved.
This latest case in the west follows latest RSPCA data showing animal cruelty cases in Melton on the rise with 325 call-outs in the past year to June.
Figures from the animal welfare organisation reveal Melton ranked seventh for the most calls about animal mismanagement in the state in 2017-18 – up 14 per cent on the previous year (279).
Geelong topped the state with the RSPCA receiving 559 calls.
RSPCA chief executive Liz Walker said 10,642 cruelty reports were made across the state in the past financial year.
Dr Walker said localised animal cruelty statistics helped to target the organisation’s prevention and education initiatives.
“Over the last two years that we’ve released these reports, we’ve seen that many communities are shocked to learn the levels of cruelty reporting in their area and eager to see those numbers go down, just as we are,” she said.
Inspectors are seeking information from the public to help identify the persons involved in the case of the pet rabbit.
Anyone with information on the location of the incident or those involved can make a report via www.rspcavic.org or call 9224 2222.
