Alarming rise in dog cruelty since start of Covid pandemic
In 2021 there were 437 reports made in Wiltshire, and 1,138 in Hampshire
Last updated 3rd Aug 2022
The RSPCA has revealed a significant increase in dogs being victims of cruelty since the start of the pandemic - with 10 reports an hour.
In 2021, there were 437 reports made to the RSPCA about dog cruelty in Wiltshire and 1,138 in Hampshire.
The new figures have been released today (3 August) as part of the animal welfare charityâs Cancel Out Cruelty campaign.
They show there were 44,427 reports of dog cruelty made to the RSPCA in 2021 - involving 92,244 dogs last year.
That works out as 253 a day, and includes 10,228 dogs reported as beaten.
With more people becoming dog owners during lockdown the charity is concerned the number of cruelty incidents involving canines will increase.
The RSPCA are particularly concerned about the summer, when it traditionally sees a surge in calls to its cruelty line.
In the summer (July and August) calls rise to 134,000 a month and reports of cruelty soar to 7,600 each month - which works out as 245 every day.
The charity is also worried more dogs will fall victim to abuse and abandonments as the cost of living crisis takes hold adding financial pressures to pet owners.
To help prevent suffering the RSPCA has launched its Cancel Out Cruelty campaign which aims to raise funds.
They will use the money to keep its rescue teams on the frontline saving animals in desperate need of help - as well as raise awareness about how we can all work together to stamp out cruelty for good.
The RSPCA say they need your help rescuing animals like Bronco, who was found running loose in Edington on Salisbury Plain in February (2022).
The animal welfare charity was called after a member of the public discovered the lurcher running loose in the road.
Since his rescue, Bronco has received care at Bath Cats & Dogs Home - but he is still looking to meet his match.
RSPCA dog welfare expert Dr Samantha Gaines said: âEvery year, we see many dogs coming into our care bearing the physical and mental scars that were inflicted at the hands of the very people who were meant to keep them safe and love them unconditionally.
âWe are supposed to be a nation of animal lovers and dogs are âmanâs best friendâ as the saying goes but in reality we receive many cruelty reports every day about dogs who have suffered the most unimaginable cruelty and a 16% increase of dogs being cruelly treated in a year is really concerning.
âOur officers have dealt with all sorts of horrific incidents including dogs repeatedly beaten, stabbed, burned, drowned, poisoned, some have been left to die from starvation.
âWith the publicâs help in reporting cruelty they have been able to save many dogs from ongoing abuse. Sadly though in some cases others have died at the hands of their tormentors and it is then our job to try and bring some justice for the victim.
âDuring the summer we see a rise in cruelty and this year as we have seen such a massive increase in dog ownership since lockdown we are bracing ourselves for even more reports.
âWe believe there are a number of factors which mean summer is our busiest time. Perhaps there is boredom or pressures at home with children being off school which can make existing difficulties magnified.
âThis year the cost of living crisis has added a further dimension and we believe we could see people really struggling to care for their pets which may lead them to lash out or could see more animals than ever being abandoned or given up.
âAll these factors mean that we need the public's support more than ever to help Cancel Out Cruelty. As a charity, we are bracing to tackle a summer of suffering but we cannot do this without your help and we rely on public support to carry on our rescue, rehabilitation and rehoming work.â
RSPCA inspector Charlotte Le Brun said: âBronco was incredibly thin and nervous. He also had injuries and wounds on his neck and body.â
The RSPCA received 1,081,018 calls to its Cruelty Line in 2021 and these included reports of;
â 1,094 killings or nearly three animals killed a day
â 632 mutilations or 12 animals brutally mutilated every week
â 7,857 beatings which equates to one animal beaten every hour
â 38,087 abandonments which equates to more than 100 animals callously abandoned every day
To help support the RSPCA, visit: www.rspca.org.uk/stopcruelty
If you cannot donate, there are other ways you can help, from volunteering, holding a bake sale or fundraiser, or taking part in the #50MilesForAnimals challenge.
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