A database of animal crossing incidents, animal cruelty offences and human trafficking cases has been created by the Northern Territory Police Service.
The database, known as Cinampet, is a work-in-progress.
It includes reports of alleged animal cruelty and human exploitation, along with reports of animal cruelty by both domestic and foreign animals.
Agency Commissioner Brian Liddell said the database was created to provide the NT Police with an accurate record of what happened to animals and the people involved in them.
“This will help us understand the scope and the severity of the animal cruelty incidents we are currently investigating,” he said.
Animal cruelty has been on the NT Government’s radar for some time, with animal welfare minister David Johnston announcing in January 2016 a $10 million fund to address the issue.
Cinampets latest update, which can be found here, provides details on incidents involving dogs, cats, rabbits and primates.
Police have received more than 3,000 reports of incidents involving animals since the database’s creation in February.
While there has been a significant increase in reported incidents, the NT Department of Primary Industries (DPI) said the number of animal incidents reported each month has decreased since November last year.
DPI chief executive Stephen Jones said the data contained in Cinamps database indicated the number and severity of reported incidents has decreased, as compared to a year ago.
He said the department was working to reduce the number, type and intensity of incidents.
Mr Jones said there was a significant number of incidents reported by individuals, including police and the public.
Dangerous animals, dangerous animals, animals not under the control of the NT, people not under control of NT Government, illegal animal handling, and illegal animal trade were among the offences reported.
NT Police are also investigating reports of illegal hunting, and investigations are ongoing into alleged human trafficking, animal trafficking and illegal dog fighting.
Topics:police,animal-welfare,domestic-violence,animal,dominican-republic-of,tas