Spike in animal cruelty cases across South West and Midlands
The RSPCA have revealed shocking new figures
Shocking new figures released this morning (July 1) by the RSPCA show a massive 33% annual increase in cruelty reports to the charity during the summer period across the country - fuelling fears of another crisis this year.
The animal welfare charity has released the startling new statistics as part of its Summer Cruelty Campaign - showing the side of this season which many people don’t see - when animal cruelty reports peak.
In June, July and August last year the RSPCA took 34,401 cruelty calls to their emergency line - compared to 25,887 the year before.
On average it took 374 reports of cruelty against animals every single day during this period or one call EVERY two minutes the line was open.
To highlight the work it is doing to help animals in need a new video - starring singer Alesha Dixon - has been produced which features four pets rescued by the RSPCA from horrific circumstances who are now loving life in new homes.
She said: “I hope supporting their Summer Cruelty Appeal will raise awareness of the amazing work the RSPCA’s staff and volunteers carry out daily while raising vital funds so they continue transforming the lives of so many animals in need."
The RSPCA fears the surge in summer cruelty is due partly to a fall-out following the increase in pet ownership around the Covid pandemic - while longer summer days when more people are out and about means more people are likely to witness incidents of violence.
But according to a new YouGov survey 78% of UK adults are unaware that most cases of animal cruelty are reported in England and Wales during the summer.
RSPCA Chief Inspector Ian Briggs, an expert in cruelty cases, added: “We are seeing a shocking rise in the number of seasonal calls reporting animal cruelty to our emergency line. Sadly the summer months tend to be when these reports peak which is leading to a welfare crisis.
“We don’t know for sure why cruelty peaks at this time of year - but the surge in pet ownership during the pandemic has played a factor, while the longer days mean more people may witness and report such violence.
“This year, sadly, we fear the trend will continue and we are already busier than ever rescuing animals from many awful situations. Many are broken by violence - not just physically but mentally - and our dedicated network of branches, animal centres and rescue teams work wonders in nursing them back to health and showing them how love can help transform their lives."
Local statistics
The charity has been sharing the rise in the number of calls locally to their emergency line, and revealed Somerset had one of the largest jumps in the country.
Their data shows:
- Bristol: 175 calls in 2023; 203 in 2024 (+16%)
- Cornwall: 309 calls in 2023; 281 in 2024 (-9%)
- Devon: 557 calls in 2023; 643 in 2024 (+15%)
- Dorset: 290 calls in 2023; 315 in 2024 (+8%)
- Gloucestershire: 334 calls in 2023; 352 in 2024 (+5%)
- Herefordshire: 89 calls in 2023; 70 in 2024 (-21%)
- Somerset: 430 calls in 2023; 558 in 2024 (+29%)
- Warwickshire: 232 calls in 2023; 252 in 2024 (+8%)
- Wiltshire: 283 calls in 2023; 303 in 2024 (+7%)
- Worcestershire: 301 calls in 2023; 345 in 2024 (+14%)
Dorset
In Dorset, the number of cruelty reports over the summer months increased from 290 (2023) to 315 reports last year - an 8% increase.
Here, a puppy was rescued by the RSPCA in August 2023 after she was found suffering with broken legs and ribs following a series of attacks by her owner.
The chihuahua-cross aged about eight months-old at the time, was rescued following a report from a concerned member of the public about a dog with untreated injuries at an address in Dorset. She was rushed to a vet’s and as well as the fractures she had other historic injuries. The owner of the dog was given a 10 year ban on keeping animals after he admitted welfare offences and the pup has made a full recovery and has now been rehomed.
Devon
In Devon, the number of cruelty reports over the summer months increased from 557 (2023) to 643 reports last year - a 13% increase.
In Devon the RSPCA rescued a severely malnourished dog who had been left in a cage inside a property. The ribs and spine were all protruding and she had no food and water left for her.
A man admitted causing unnecessary suffering to the crossbred dog who went on to make a full recovery in RSPCA care and has since been rehomed.
Somerset
In Somerset, the number of cruelty reports over the summer months increased from 430 (2023) to 558 last year - an increase of 29%.
Earlier this year a woman in the county was banned from keeping animals for five years after being found guilty of two animal welfare offences.
The RSPCA launched an investigation after evidence showed her kicking her dog and screaming at the pet causing suffering from fear, distress and possibly pain. The dog was taken into RSPCA care for rehoming.
Bristol
In Bristol, the number of cruelty reports over the summer months increased from 175 (2023) to 203 (2024) - a rise of 16%.
In a case earlier this year a Bristol woman was given an animal ban after the court heard how her dog had been left to starve.
When found by an RSPCA rescuer all his ribs were prominent and he was in a neglected state. He was rushed for treatment but sadly he was in such poor health the vet decided to put him to sleep to end his suffering.
The owner was given a 15 year ban on keeping animals.