'Heartbreaking' rise in dog cruelty across West Sussex
The RSPCA reveals there were more than 570 reports in the past year
The RSPCA has revealed 'shocking' figures of a rise in cruelty to dogs in West Sussex in last 12 months.
Last year, the RSPCA received 574 reports about cruelty to dogs in the county, up from 494 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, which is based in Southwater near Horsham, 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.
Chris Sherwood, Chief Executive of the RSPCA, said:
"It is heartbreaking that more dogs need our help - we need to make a stand against this and say ‘no more.
"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."
One such case of cruelty to dogs recorded in West Sussex took place in November last year when an underweight puppy was dumped by a roadside in Chichester.
The seven-month-old spaniel cross was found by a member of the public on Hook Lane and was taken to a local vet for treatment.
The brown and white puppy was microchipped but the registered owner said he sold her five months ago. The RSPCA have been unable to trace the new owner.
Inspector Andrew Kirby is investigating. He said:
"It is really sad that she was dumped in this way - she was severely malnourished and anything could have happened to her. When the vets weighed her she was only 2kg."
The puppy has since gone to a new home.