Independent review of RSPCA Victoria

A REVIEW OF VICTORIA'S RSPCA

Statistics for 2014-15:

- 10,740 animal cruelty reports, 953 animals seized

- 494 charges laid, 69 successful prosecutions, 40 cases ongoing

What the Report Found

Staffing:

- Turnover is high and in the year to March 31 one third of staff had left

- No standard investigation or prosecution training and limited career progression

- Concerns repeatedly raised about staff welfare, including going to jobs alone

Case Management:

- Cruelty reports entered into web-based system developed for animal shelter data management, which could not be encrypted was insecure and had no analysis capabilities

- To prosecute cases, legal counsel outsourced.

Animal Welfare:

- Seized animals often kept in RSPCA for prolonged periods while matters go through court, causing further psychological damage and limiting capacity to house more

- Horse welfare an increased concern, especially with drought, and establishing ownership often difficult.

Activism:

- MPs, government officials and inspectors concerned about conflict of interest with the RSPCA doing law enforcement and activist campaigns against legal activities such as hunting and jumps racing.

- Government officials reluctant to have confidential discussions with RSPCA in case sensitive information used in activist campaigns.