HEARTBREAKING figures released by the RSPCA have shown that reports of animals being beaten increased by 22% last year – with incidents peaking during the summer months.
Last year, the RSPCA received 9,658 reports of animals being beaten – 26 every day.
As a result, the animal charity is bracing for one of its busiest summers this year as it expects another summer of suffering, with more people reporting cruelty to animals from July to September.
The charity has launched its ‘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 figures, exclusively released by the RSPCA, show:
In 2022 the charity saw a 22% increase in reports of beatings (9,658 in 2022, compared to 7,857 in 2021)
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’
Dermot Murphy, the RSPCA’s inspectorate commissioner, said: “Right now, animal cruelty is happening in England and Wales on a massive scale and rising and our Cancel Out Cruelty campaign highlights these stark numbers. It is heartbreaking that we are seeing such sad figures which show animal cruelty is, very sadly, on the rise – including beatings, as we’re now seeing 26 beating reports made to us every day.
“Each year, these reports of cruelty reach its terrible annual peak in the summer months – when we receive a report of an animal being beaten on average every hour of every day.
“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.
“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.”
It is not known why reports of animal cruelty peak in the summer months although factors like animal abuse being more visible as people are outdoors more, could be one factor.
The RSPCA is the only charity rescuing animals and investigating cruelty in England and Wales with a team of frontline rescue officers, specialist vet teams and a network of animal care centres and 140 branches providing rehabilitation to animal victims.
Dermot added: “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.”
Puppy had ‘body shattered’ after being beaten
Jack Russell puppy Lara, pictured top, who was just 16 weeks old when she was found with a bloodied head trauma and a catalogue of broken bones – including fractures to her skull, ribs, cheekbones and jaw.
RSPCA inspector Nicola Johnson, who investigated Lara’s case, said: “I had never seen an animal with so many broken bones. I did not know where to touch Lara that wouldn’t hurt her so I just gave her nose a little stroke. She just looked so sad and her spirit appeared broken.”
Nicola took Lara for further emergency treatment at the RSPCA’s Newbrook Animal Hospital in Birmingham where her fractured leg was repaired with surgical implant and metal pins to hold the bone in place until it was healed. She was given pain relief and was confined to cage rest for 20 days to help her shattered body recover.
She was rehabilitated at RSPCA Cotswold Dogs and Cats Home and was fostered by receptionist Amy Day, who said: “Nothing could prepare me for how upsetting it was to see her for the first time. I just saw a clearly terrified, shut down, and broken little girl, who would cower if anyone approached her.
“My heart instantly shattered when I saw her and how her eyes looked filled with fear. With every small movement she made, she would wince and cower away. It was thoroughly heartbreaking.”
Happily, Lara, pictured above, has made a full recovery and in March this year, she was adopted by a loving family.
As the only charity in England and Wales investigating cruelty and rescuing animals, the RSPCA needs support to stay out on the frontline:
£2 could help to provide a meal for a cat or dog in RSPCA care
£6 could help pay to feed a dog for a day in RSPCA care
£10 could help pay towards bandages for a cat or dog
£15 could help pay for a cat or dog’s clinical exam
£20 could help pay towards a bird catching kit
£30 could help pay for a life jacket for an inspector
£100 could help pay towards water rescue equipment
£500 could kit out a 4×4 inspector van
To help support the RSPCA, visit: www.rspca.org.uk/cruelty