'Heartbreaking' rise in dog cruelty across Somerset
The RSPCA reveals a rise from 803 to 831 reports in the past year
The RSPCA has revealed 'shocking' figures of a rise in cruelty to dogs in Somerset in the last 12 months.
Last year, the RSPCA received 831 reports about cruelty to dogs in the county, compared to 803 in 2022.
Nationally, in 2023, the RSPCA received 52,662 reports about cruelty to dogs - around 144 a day - compared to 48,567 in 2022 - an increase of 8% in just one year.
The charity received 42,613 reports on cruelty to dogs in 2020, marking a 23% increase in just four years. In 2021, the number of reports was 44,479 - meaning the figures have been rising year-on-year.
The new figures have been released by the RSPCA as part of its No Animal Deserves Cruelty summer appeal.
“It is heartbreaking that more dogs need our help - we need to make a stand against this and say ‘no more’,” said Chris Sherwood, Chief Executive of the RSPCA.
“Dogs are supposed to be man’s best friend, yet more and more dogs are being subjected to cruelty every year.
"Dogs are the most popular pet in the UK yet also the ones who potentially suffer the most.
“We would love to see, next year, cruelty going down.
"We know we can’t do this alone - so our purpose is for everyone to work together to create a kinder world for animals.
"That's why we've launched our summer appeal, because it’s vital that we all take action together to help animals like these dogs.”
Chihuahua Dolly was rescued by the RSPCA in Yorkshire after being subjected to deliberate cruelty - but is now living a happy life with her new owner.
Her journey to happiness, though, wasn’t an easy one.
When her previous owner took her to the vets with multiple injuries, they claimed that all were accidental - but the vet was concerned that what they were being told wasn’t the truth.
When the vet placed Dolly on the floor near her owner to assess her movement, she immediately ran towards the vet and hid behind her legs, shivering, crouching very low to the ground and had her tail between her legs.
Despite the owner calling her to come to him, this happened repeatedly from different points in the room. The vet contacted the RSPCA to investigate.
Shockingly, X-rays revealed Dolly’s injuries were much more extensive than first anticipated.
She had a broken rib, a fracture to her third vertebrae indicative of a tail pull injury and a dislocated tail.
The X-rays also showed skull injuries and her dew claws had been ripped out.
Dolly had extensive bruising and swelling to her lips and muzzle area where the skin had begun to slough off.
She had a cut on both the upper lip and the bridge of her nose. She was also found to have blood in her bladder.
Her owner pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to Dolly and was banned from keeping animals for life.
Today, Dolly has a whole new life with her new owner, Lucy Green - who also works as an RSPCA inspector.
Lucy said: “She was initially quite timid but settled in quickly and enjoyed attention. Dolly would often get up and follow me as I left a room
“At first she was very nervous about certain things such as any loud noises or sudden movements.
"There were times where someone shouts on the TV or loud music might have come on during an advert and she would stop what she was doing and shake, lower her head and tuck her tail up under herself.”