From victim to su-paw hero, a previously abused dog in Devon is carrying out a noble mission
Spaniel Marshall is now a cash, drugs and firearms detection dog
Animal cruelty is on the rise in Devon.
The latest figures from the RSPCA show that there have been 255 reported incidents across the county in the last year.
Across England and Wales, the charity say cruelty against animals - such as beatings, poisonings and even killings - has increased by 14%, with 12,582 reported last year compared to 11,012 reports in 2021.
When it comes to the potential reasons behind such brutality, Richard Abbott, chief inspector for Devon mentioned different factors:
"While we don’t know for certain why there has been an increase in reports of cruelty, the cost of living crisis and the post-pandemic world we live in has created an animal welfare crisis with more people getting pets with potentially less time and money to care for them."
From rescue pup to su-paw hero
Marshal was an abused dog, who was spotted on CCTV cowering in fear at a property in Devon. His owner was seen to kick him, hit him and throw him onto a sofa.
The RSPCA intervened and rescued Marshall following a report by a concerned citizen. He soon was fostered by an experienced dog handler - an encounter that would forever change his life.
Marshal started his training course with Gloucestershire Constabulary in November 2021; qualifying as a cash, drugs and firearms detection dog, in time to hit the streets at the start of 2022.
Richard adds: "Together, we believe we can and will cancel out cruelty to animals by replacing violence with kindness."
The RSPCA has launched its Cancel Out Cruelty campaign, to raise funds to help its frontline rescue teams continue to save animals from cruelty and abuse and to raise awareness about how to stop cruelty to animals for good.