New RSPCA figures reveal summer cruelty in Northamptonshire
The animal charity say Northamptonshire has seen a 26% annual increase in animal cruelty between 2023 and 2024.
Northamptonshire has seen a 26% increase in animal cruelty reports.
New figures released by the RSPCA today, show 284 reports here in the summer of 2023. That figure rose to 360 last year.
In one case last summer, two men from the county were banned from keeping all animals for life following a prosecution by the charity last July in Northampton Magistrates Court.
The animal charity has released the nationwide figures today 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 across England and Wales the RSPCA took 34,401 cruelty calls to their emergency line - compared to 25,887 the year before - showing an increase of a third.
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.
The RSPCA's Nicola Walker covers Northamptonshire. She tells us summer is the peak of calls:
"Sumer's the busiest time for the RSPCA. What we are finding actually is there's sadly a 30% increase in the number of cruelty calls we are getting."
The charity say they 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.
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.
She says the public can really help during the summer months by taking injured animals to the vets:
"By taking that animal you're getting it to the vets quickly, but it's also frees up of or inspectorate because during the summer months it's the busiest time for our officers, and they're the only guys out there who can deal with neglect and cruelty incidents."
Alesha Dixon, who is a judge on ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent is supporting their Summer Cruelty Appeal.