Dog cruelty incidents rose 3% in Dorset last year

460 cases have been reported to the RSCPA in the county

Published 25th Aug 2023

Incidents of cruelty towards dogs have increased by 3% in Wiltshire last year, according to figures from the RSPCA.

There were 461 reports made to the animal welfare charity in 2022, about cruelty to dogs in the county, compared with 449 in 2021.

That includes cases of neglect, abandonments and intentional harm - which can include attempted killing, poisoning, beating, improper killing, mutilation and suspicious circumstances.

The animal welfare charity say cases of cruelty against dogs are rising across the country

114 of the reports in Dorset 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.”

The RSPCA say some of the cases coming in to them are 'heartbreaking'

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.”

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