Dog cruelty incidents rose 11% in Wiltshire last year
Nearly 500 cases have been reported to the RSCPA in the county
Incidents of cruelty towards dogs have increased by 11% in Wiltshire last year, according to figures from the RSPCA.
There were 485 reports made to the animal welfare charity in 2022, about cruelty to dogs in the county, compared with 437 in 2021.
That includes cases of neglect, abandonments and intentional harm - which can include attempted killing, poisoning, beating, improper killing, mutilation and suspicious circumstances.
85 of the reports in Wiltshire referred to intentional harm to dogs.
Nationally, there were 42,690 cruelty cases reported to the RSPCA about dogs, a 7% increase from 2021,
John Atkinson, RSPCA chief inspector for Wiltshire, said:
“For hundreds of years dogs have been known as man’s best friend - and if you share your home with one, you will know why, as they are so loyal and loving companions.
“But these awful statistics tell a different story. Dogs are the most abused animal in this country and we investigate more complaints about them than any other type of animal.
“Everyone who cares about animals will be sickened to know how many reports we receive about dogs being kicked, beaten, burned or worse. We need the public’s help to Cancel Out Cruelty. Their donations, no matter how small, help keep our frontline officers out on the road rescuing animals and investigating these terrible reports.”
Babe, Tinkerbell and Ferdinand's story
Three dogs were abandoned in a cardboard box in a car park near the Avebury stones in Wiltshire last August.
A kind-hearted member of the public found them - two older female chihuahuas were named Babe and Tinkerbell, according to their microchips, and a younger male was named Ferdinand by the team caring for him.
All three were in poor condition and in need of urgent care and attention.
Babe also had a severe open wound on her back right leg and had to have emergency surgery to remove the limb.
Dermot Murphy, RSPCA inspectorate commissioner, said:
“Right now, animal cruelty is happening in England and Wales on a massive scale and rising. It is heartbreaking that we are seeing such sad figures which show animal cruelty is, very sadly, on the rise.
“While we don’t know for certain why there has been an increase, the cost of living crisis and the post-pandemic world we live in has created an animal welfare crisis.
“Each year, these reports reach its terrible annual peak in the summer months – when an animal is beaten on average every hour of every day. The cost-of-living crisis also means the cost of rescuing animals is at an all-time high and our vital services are stretched to the limit.”