INJUSTICE anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.

In big red letters the famous Martin Luther King Jr quote adorns the top of the RSPCA Justice for Animals website.

On its home page, the site says people who are violent towards humans often start out by being violent to animals. Many serious violent offenders have a history of abusing animals.

The site also states only 19 inspectors operate in the state of Queensland to stop this cycle of violence.

Sommer Heath-Crilley is one of the inspectors upholding the Queensland Animal Care and Protection Act 2001, and is the sole RSPCA Gold Coast and Hinterland inspector.

“People say that all the RSPCA wants to do is take their animals away but, in fact, that's the last thing we want to do,” she told the Daily News.

She explained that resources were limited, bringing up the case of Twist, a 14-year-old mare seized just over six months ago.

“She's fat compared to when she was seized,” Ms Heath-Crilley said as she looked over the brown mare and brushed some grass from her coat.

Twist's owner fell terminally ill and was not able to care for her. Leaving her neglected rather than giving her up, Twist starved. Her hooves grew out of control, she suffered rain scald, and when the RSPCA retrieved her she had almost no hair on her body.

“It's cost us a small fortune to get her to where she needs to be,” Ms Heath-Crilley said.

“People just get horses or other animals and they don't have the knowledge or finances to look after them properly.”

Ms Heath-Crilley has spent 11 years working with the RSPCA and the police force, for a stint, to become a protector of animals and an enforcer of the Animal Care and Protection Act.

Although the most common animal complaint in the Gold Coast inspectorate was skin conditions, she said a major problem among pet owners was actually communication.

“People just don't talk to their neighbours anymore, which is really sad,” she said.

“Because people are more suspicious these days, they don't tell people they're going away for fear of their house being targeted.”

“Because people are more suspicious these days they don’t tell people they’re going away for fear of their house being targeted.” To report a case of animal neglect or cruelty call 07 3426 9971 or 1300 852 188.

To help the RSPCA boost resources donate online at RSPCA Qld or phone 07 3426 9999.