Increase in intentional cruelty against animals in Cornwall
WARNING: This article contains a distressing image
Last updated 4th Jul 2023
New figures show an alarming increase in intentional cruelty against animals in Cornwall.
The RSPCA say there were 127 reports in the county last year, an increase of 24% compared to 2021.
Overall, the number of reports made nationally to the charity’s cruelty line about intentional harm to animals - including beatings, mutilations such as ear cropping, poisonings and even killings - has increased by 14%, with 12,582 reported last year compared to 11,012 reports in 2021.
They have launch their 'Cancel Out Cruelty' campaign, to raise funds to help its frontline rescue teams continue to save animals from cruelty and abuse and to raise awareness about how to stop cruelty to animals for good.
The national figures show:
- In 2022 the charity saw a 22% increase in reports of beatings (9,658 in 2022, compared to 7,857 in 2021) that’s 26 every day
- The number of beatings reported to the RSPCA in 2022 peaked in August, when 1,081 reports were received - a staggering 35 a day
- The number of animals killed in ‘suspicious circumstances’ increased in 2022 by 15% from by 2021 (891 in 2022, compared to 775 in 2021)
- 77% of all cruelty complaints reported to the charity 2022 were beatings
‘Heartbreaking that animal cruelty is on the rise’
The RSPCA say they are bracing for one of its busiest summers this year, with more people reporting cruelty to animals from July to September.
Richard Abbott, RSPCA chief inspector for Cornwall, said: "Right now, animal cruelty is happening in England and Wales on a massive scale and rising. and sadly the number of cruelty incidents in Cornwall are also too high. It is heartbreaking that we are seeing figures which show animal cruelty is,very sadly, on the rise.
"While we don’t know for certain why there has been an increase in reports of cruelty, the cost of living crisis and the post-pandemic world we live in has created an animal welfare crisis with more people getting pets with potentially less time and money to care for them.
"Each year, these reports of cruelty reach its terrible annual peak in the summer months – when nationally we receive a report of an animal being beaten on average every hour of every day.
"The cost-of-living crisis also means the cost of rescuing animals is at an all-time high and our vital services are stretched to the limit.
"Together, we believe we can and will cancel out cruelty to animals by replacing violence with kindness. We are urging people to donate to our Cancel Out Cruelty campaign, every donation will help animals."
WARNING: This article contains a distressing image below
Cruelty incident in Cornwall
The body of an emaciated dog was found dumped in Higher Brea in Cornwall.
The animal welfare charity was contacted after a member of the public made the upsetting discovery of the lurcher’s body on January 30.
To help support the RSPCA, visit: rspca.org.uk/cancel