The RSPCA is concerned about a sharp increase of attacks on wildlife by household pets.
Thousands of koalas, possums and water dragons are injured each year by cats and dogs and the animal welfare group wants owners to be more vigilant.
Liana Bignall reports.
TRANSCRIPT
It’s a heartbreaking sight for Rspca wildlife, another injured wild animal this time a flying fox.
Domestic cats and dogs opportunistically prey on these animals and dozens are hurt each day.
Stephanie Shaw, Senior Wildlife Vet RSPCA: “Could just be fledgling birds that are on the ground that just need to be fed by their mother but while they’re down on the ground a cat will grab them.”
The animals’ injuries are usually so bad, they cannot be saved, especially birds.
Stephanie Shaw, Senior Wildlife Vet RSPCA: “One little mouthful and they just break that wing open and once they have an open fracture it’s non-repairable.”
The animals keep suffering, long after the initial attack, with many succumbing to a whole body infection.
RSPCA says the solution is to keep your pets inside during the night and not let them roam during the day.
Michael Beatty, RSPCA: “If anyone out there can please contain their dogs and cats inside at night in particular.”
The RSPCA urges pet owners to be even more vigilant now, as it’s prime nesting time for birds and reptiles are coming out of hibernation.
In the past fourteen days alone the RSPCA has received over 300 native animals that were injured by domestic pets.
The RSPCA suspects there are more attacks on wildlife because of a greater interaction with pets in suburbia.
Stephanie Shaw, Senior Wildlife Vet RSPCA: “We have a huge growth right now, we’re building more houses we’re going into beautiful areas, we want trees, so with trees come wildlife.”
The senior veterinarian says people should learn to co-habit with the animals and stop taking them for advantage.
Stephanie Shaw, Senior wildlife vet RSPCA: “But they’re not, they’re going to disappear and then we’re going to miss what you had.”
Liana Bignall, QUT News.