THERE were more than 400 recorded incidents of cruelty against dogs in Berkshire last year according to animal welfare charity the RSPCA.
The incidents include attempted killing, poisoning, beating, improper killing, mutilation and suspicious circumstances. There were 81 reports of intentional harm to dogs in Berkshire, and the charity has also responded to reports made about neglect and abandonments.
It follows a case earlier this month where the charity was called to Wargrave to recover the body of a dog drowned in the River Thames.
Nationally, the number of reports made to the RSPCA about dogs – including intentional harm, neglect and abandonments – in 2022 was 42,690, a 7% increase from 2021 (39,797), with the summer months seeing the highest number of cases.
It says there was a 22% increase in reports of beatings: 9,658 in 2022, compared to 7,857 in 2021, with 35 a day during August last year.
The number of animals killed in ‘suspicious circumstances’ increased 15% from 891 in 2022, compared to 775 in 2021.
And 77% of all cruelty complaints reported to the charity 2022 were beatings.
The RSPCA has released the information as part of its Cancel Out Cruelty campaign, in a bid to raise funds to help its frontline rescue teams continue to save animals from cruelty and abuse.
Stephen Reeves, acting RSPCA chief inspector for Berkshire, said: “For hundreds of years dogs have been known as man’s best friend – and if you share your home with one, you will know why, as they are such loyal and loving companions.
“But these awful statistics tell a different story. Dogs are the most abused animal in this country, and we investigate more complaints about them than any other type of animal.
“Everyone who cares about animals will be sickened to know how many reports we receive about dogs being kicked, beaten, burned or worse. We need the public’s help to Cancel Out Cruelty. Their donations, no matter how small, help keep our frontline officers out on the road rescuing animals and investigating these terrible reports.”
Dermot Murphy, RSPCA inspectorate commissioner, said that animal cruelty is happening in England and Wales on a massive scale and rising.
“It is heartbreaking that we are seeing such sad figures which show animal cruelty is, very sadly, on the rise,” he continued.
“While we don’t know for certain why there has been an increase, the cost of living crisis and the post-pandemic world we live in has created an animal welfare crisis.
“Each year, these reports reach its terrible annual peak in the summer months – when an animal is 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.”
Part of the Cancel Out Cruelty campaign is a fundraising drive, with the RSPCA saying £2 could provide a meal for a cat or dog in its care, £6 would provide a day’s food, £10 for bandages, £15 for a clinical exam, and £20 towards a bird-catching kit.
Larger donations, such as £100, could go towards equipment for inspectors.
For more details, or to report suspected cruelty, log on to: www.rspca.org.uk/cruelty
