Dog cruelty on the rise in London since the pandemic
The RSPCA says it's happening on a "massive scale" - up 6% in the capital between 2021-2022.
The RSPCA says cruelty to dogs is happening on a "massive scale" and is on the rise since the coronavirus pandemic.
It's seeing an increase in intentional harm to dogs, including improper and attempted killings, poisonings, beatings and mutilations.
In London alone in 2022, there were 3,752 reports made to the RSPCA about cruelty to dogs - compared with 3,536 in 2021.
This means in 2022, 10 dogs a day on average were cruelly treated in London.
The heartbreaking figures include reports made about intentional harm, neglect and abandonments, with a shocking 994 reports of intentional harm to dogs in London.
Nationally, the number of reports made to the RSPCA about dogs - including intentional harm, neglect and abandonments - in 2022 was 42,690, a 7% increase from 2021 (39,797).
In summer months cases of cruelty rise and the charity is braced for its busiest time of the year.
"Dogs are the most abused animal in this country"
Dermot Murphy, of the RSPCA, said: “Dogs are the most abused animal in this country and we investigate more complaints about them than any other type of animal – 27 dogs a day are cruelly treated – one every hour.”
Terry's story
In November 2021, puppy Terry was left with life-threatening head injuries after his then owner beat him to the point he collapsed and was unresponsive.
A member of the public rushed the whippet to Hull PDSA Pet Hospital, where staff believed he was already dead until they noticed light breathing and saved his life.
Terry returned to full health and was later adopted by vet nurse Rachel Coombes, who was on-shift and helped to treat him.
Ms Coombes, 42, said: “I just felt a connection as soon as he was brought in as he was in such a state we actually thought initially he hadn’t made it.
“Then when we spotted gentle breathing I did say ‘if he survives this I am going to give him a home’, which is exactly what I did.”
Rise in the summer
The RSPCA said cases of cruelty typically rise in the summer, with 35 beatings reported a day in August 2022.
Mr Murphy added: “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.”