New RSPCA figures reveal 315 reports of summer cruelty in Dorset
Dorset has seen an 8% annual increase in animal cruelty
Shocking new figures released by the RSPCA show a massive 33% annual increase in cruelty reports to the charity during the summer period across England and Wales – with reports on the rise in Dorset too.
The animal welfare charity has released the startling new statistics today (July 1) as part of its Summer Cruelty Campaign– showing the side of this season that many people don’t see—when animal cruelty reports peak.
In June, July and August last year across England and Wales the RSPCA took 34,401* cruelty calls to their emergency line – compared to 25,887* the year before – showing an increase by A THIRD.
On average, it took 374 reports of cruelty against animals every single day during this period, or one call EVERY two minutes the line was open.
And in Dorset, the number of cruelty reports over the summer months increased from 290 (2023) to 315 reports last year – an 8% increase.
In Dorset a puppy was rescued by the RSPCA in August 2023 after she was found suffering with broken legs and ribs following a series of attacks by her owner.
The chihuahua-cross, aged about eight months old at the time, was rescued following a report from a concerned member of the public about a dog with untreated injuries at an address in Dorset. She was rushed to a vet’s, and as well as the fractures, she had other historic injuries. The owner of the dog was given a 10-year ban on keeping animals after he admitted welfare offences and the pup has made a full recovery and has now been rehomed.
To highlight the work the charity is doing to help animals in need, a new video – starring singer Alesha Dixon – has been produced that features four pets rescued by the RSPCA from horrific circumstances who are now loving life in new homes.
Alesha has lent her support to the campaign and provided a voiceover for the video, which includes the stories of
- Bella (pictured above) – a young emaciated Staffordshire bull terrier-cross who was found battered and living in a cage in Leicestershire – but is now living her best life in a new home.
- Bernie (pictured below) – an 11 month-old bulldog who was beaten by his previous owner, leaving him struggling to stand, with multiple fractures, bruises to his head and a bloodshot eye. Bernie now has a loving life in Nottingham.
- Berlioz (pictured above) – A kitten who was rescued by the RSPCA after suffering physical abuse resulting in multiple fractures to his skull and ribs who has now found a loving forever home living with the officer who helped to save him in the West Midlands.
- Benito – a cat who suffered a catalogue of horrific, life-threatening injuries, including fractures from a number of attacks who now enjoys his new family life in Walsall.
Alesha, who is a judge on ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent, said: “The RSPCA’s rescue and rehabilitation work gives victims of cruelty like Bernie, Bella, Berlioz and Benito another chance at a happy life. The charity also works hard to bring those responsible for such abuse to justice.
“I hope supporting their Summer Cruelty Appeal will raise awareness of the amazing work the RSPCA’s staff and volunteers carry out daily while raising vital funds so they continue transforming the lives of so many animals in need.
“It is shocking and heartbreaking that the RSPCA is reporting a 33% rise in animal cruelty during the summer months, with 31 reports of cruelty made to the RSPCA every single hour the line is open, but working together we can save animals from this cruel side of summer.”
The RSPCA fears the surge in summer cruelty is due partly to a fall-out following the increase in pet ownership around the Covid pandemic – while longer summer days when more people are out and about mean more people are likely to witness incidents of violence.
But according to a new YouGov survey, 78% of UK adults are unaware that most cases of animal cruelty are reported in England and Wales during the summer.
RSPCA Chief Inspector Ian Briggs, an expert in cruelty cases, added: “We are seeing a shocking rise in the number of seasonal calls reporting animal cruelty to our emergency line. Sadly the summer months tend to be when these reports peak.
“We don’t know for sure why cruelty peaks at this time of year, but the surge in pet ownership during the pandemic has played a factor, while the longer days mean more people may witness and report such violence.
“To continue this work, we rely on people’s support – just like Alesha Dixon. Together, we can rescue animals from the worst cruelty, provide life-saving treatment, and give them all the care and love they urgently need. We’re so grateful to anyone backing the Summer Cruelty Appeal and choosing to donate.”
Summer should be a season of joy for animals. Long walks on golden evenings. Zoomies on the beach. Stretching out in the garden to soak up the sun. But there’s a side to summer you don’t see. For thousands of animals, it’s a season of pain, fear and suffering, when cruelty peaks. Support the RSPCA’s Summer Cruelty Appeal at: rspca.org.uk/endcruelty.
More info:
A YouTube link of the video is available here
Photographs are available from this link
The video is available from this link
