We are aware of posts on social media about a particular person alleged of being cruel to animals and accusations that RSPCA Queensland is not acting. This is simply untrue. We can confirm that the situation is under investigation by our Inspectors and being acted upon in accordance with the Animal Care and Protection Act (2001).
RSPCA Queensland investigates all animal welfare concerns.
Naming people on social media before investigations are complete can have a detrimental outcome on the situation and can result in trial by media.
If you have a concern for an animal’s welfare you can report firsthand information to our team via 1300 ANIMAL (265 624) or by lodging a complaint on our website.
We appreciate and understand the concern you feel for animals where there may be welfare concerns.
As well-meaning animal lovers, we want action taken, but it only takes one report of animal cruelty or neglect for investigations to commence.
The RSPCA simply does not have the resources to respond to every enquiry and when viral animal cruelty cases circulate, that can mean that Inspectors are tied up at a computer rather than on the road investigating animal cruelty reports.
The number of complaints received makes no difference to the way cases are investigated, the timing of the investigation, or the outcome. What is important for all animal cruelty cases is the quality of that information.
However, social media sharing and harassment of named individuals can become detrimental to cases. If this takes place in the lead up to sentencing, or if it is apparent in court that there will be significant media coverage of the case, then a court will often take account of this ‘extra curial’ punishment dealt out to the offenders by the community via social media. If this happens, courts reduce the penalty they would otherwise impose, on the basis that the offender has already been punished, or is likely to be further punished, by the embarrassment and harassment in the public arena. We have seen this happen with past investigations.
Do not give the courts any excuse to lessen the penalty for the offenders by engaging in online harassment.
