An urgent call about a deceased dog on a driveway, who just turned out to be taking a nap in the sun, is among the wackiest animal cruelty call-outs received by RSPCA WA in 2021.
The charity has received more than 16,300 calls from concerned members of the public so far this year, but things were not always as they seemed.
'RSPCA WA's call centre is open 24 hours a day, and our inspectors are on the road 365 days a year investigating reports of cruelty and neglect,' Inspector Manager Kylie Green said.
'We take every report very seriously, however every now and then we'll get a call-out that provides some much-needed comic relief or turns out to be a case of mistaken identity. The 'Silly Season' seems like the perfect time to share a list of our favourite calls from the year, and celebrate the tough, tireless and sometimes surprising work RSPCA's inspectors have undertaken this year.'
The RSPCA's wackiest call-outs for 2021
1. A passer-by who called in about a distressed dog trapped down a stormwater drain in Rockingham, which turned out to be a very vocal barking frog.
2. An outraged woman who spotted a child sitting on a tortoise at Perth Zoo. The turtle is one of several statues on site, with a kangaroo, gorilla and baby elephant also available for joy rides.
3. A couple who called in after hearing a puppy crying from inside a charity donation bin. The inspector broke in using an angle grinder, only to discover the captee was a squeaking cuddly toy. (Watch the Inspector's video below)
4. A caller concerned a raven had been strung up over a bird bath as a grim warning to other birds. It was a plastic ornament.
5. An urgent call for a dog found deceased on a driveway. When the inspector arrived, the dog got right up and started walking around—he was taking a nap in the sun.
6. A call from a distressed homeowner who thought she could hear a dog trapped in the crawl space under her newly-purchased home. Turns out it was a squeaky Whirlybird on her roof.
Ms Green thanked each and every person who picked up the phone this year out of concern for an animal.
'We would always prefer to get a report and find out it's nothing than miss an opportunity to help an abused, abandoned or neglected animal,' she said.
'I am so grateful to the community for being our eyes and ears on the ground, and for contacting RSPCA WA when they see something that's not right. Please keep it up.'
This year, RSPCA WA has investigated more than 6000 cases and inspectors have travelled 254,289kms.
If you are concerned about the welfare of any animal, please call the RSPCA Cruelty Hotline on 1300 CRUELTY (1300 278 358) or report it online.
