The suspicious death of a pet cat in Canberra's south earlier this month is now being examined by the ACT RSPCA.
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Gordon resident Sydnee Cooke's cat Marley was killed after its cat enclosure was broken into with scissors and it sustained multiple dislocated joints and broken bones.
The investigation comes after a spike in acts of animal cruelty and the baiting of household pets in recent weeks, prompting calls from the RSPCA for Canberrans to look out for suspicious behaviour.
The organisation's ACT chief executive Michelle Robertson said the community needed to work together to find the people responsible for animal baiting.
"This is unspeakable cruelty on an animal causing severe harm and death," Ms Robertson said.
"I wouldn't advise pet owners for unnecessary panic, but ask them, to be mindful and to be community-minded and look out for each other and other pet owners.
"We don't often find out about these things because people don't report them to us and I'm hoping we can get more structure around having these incidents reported."
In recent weeks, the RSPCA received two formal complaints of baiting incidents.
Last financial year, RSPCA inspectors received up to 40 reports of baiting or poisoning towards pets in Canberra.
"The numbers may seem small but it's concerning because of the intent and the consequences that it has," Ms Robertson said.
"If we change the behaviour of people and really focus on prevention then it would be a lot more successful.
"I can't fathom why people would inflict that level of cruelty on pets. Pets aren't disposable and they're part of the family."
Currently, penalties for animal cruelty include a fine of up to $16,000 or one year in jail.
Ms Robertson said while current penalties are strict, they are not as severe as they could be.
Andrew Brown
I've been part of the Canberra Times since 2016, after reporting at local papers in Sydney's north-west. Since starting at the paper I've had stints on the Sunday Times, on the early morning breaking news round, and now as a general reporter, covering the ins and outs of anything and everything happening in Canberra, with a focus on health.
I've been part of the Canberra Times since 2016, after reporting at local papers in Sydney's north-west. Since starting at the paper I've had stints on the Sunday Times, on the early morning breaking news round, and now as a general reporter, covering the ins and outs of anything and everything happening in Canberra, with a focus on health.
