The RSPCA has revealed 145 reports of animal beating in Berkshire this summer, an huge 80% rise in the number of beatings reported in the county.
Animal beatings are sadly on the rise with one report of animal abuse made every 15 minutes the call line is open according to new figures released by the RSPCA.
The charity is highlighting these stark figures as part of its Summer Cruelty Campaign. Instead of a time of sunshine and fun, for many animals, summer is when cruelty peaks.
In Berkshire, there has been a 80% rise in reports of beatings during the summer months from 2020 to 2024 (20 vs 36) and 145 reports in total.
Across England and Wales, there has been a 105% rise in reports of beatings in summer over the last four years (1,613 for July/August 2020 to 3,304 in July/August 2024) with four beatings reported every hour or one every 15 minutes the call line is open.
Year on year the number of beating reports has risen by 10% and the charity is braced for this to continue to climb this summer.
Ian Briggs, Head of SOU at the RSPCA, said: “These are really distressing and stark figures. One report of an animal being beaten every half an hour is a horrible thought, but sadly this is the reality in summer when our cruelty line receives a beating report every 30 minutes. It isn’t clear why there has been such a dramatic increase in abuse against animals, but what is clear is that animals are suffering at the hands of people on a much bigger scale than many people realise.
“This is why our Summer Cruelty Campaign is so important to highlight that for thousands of animals, summer is a season of pain and suffering when cruelty peaks. As the RSPCA braces to help tackle animal cruelty, we need your help now more than ever to continue to rescue animals in desperate need of care.”
Kitten Berlioz suffered physical abuse at the hands of his former owner in the West Midlands resulting in multiple fractures to his skull and ribs. After fostering Berlioz and helping to rehabilitate the young kitten, animal rescuer Jonny and his family later adopted him and he is now a much-loved member of their family (pictured right).
Chihuahua-cross puppy Poppy was rescued by the RSPCA after she was found suffering with broken legs and ribs following a series of attacks in Dorset. Poppy now lives life to the full with her owner in Milford on Sea where she enjoys daily walks to the beach.
Spaniel puppy Bella was kicked by her owner and carried by the lead around her neck in the West Midlands – with her physical and emotional abuse captured on doorbell camera footage. The Spaniel was placed into a private boarding kennel caring for Bella on the RSPCA’s behalf, where kennel manager of 13 years, Dave Carpenter, developed a bond with the young dog and eventually gave her a loving forever home.
Ian added: “We’re finding that CCTV footage, doorbell cameras and smartphones are providing a view into society that we never had before, meaning that animal beatings are more likely to be caught on camera in supermarket car parks, on streets, in lifts, and even behind closed doors in the home – giving us the evidence we need to be able to seek justice for animals like Bella.
“This could account for the rise that we are seeing as these awful abusers are more likely to be caught on camera, uploaded to social media or reported directly to us.”
Sadly, dogs were the most likely pet to be beaten with nearly 21,000 dog beating reports made to the charity last year alone with bulldog breeds the most likely to be abused (6,670 reports from 2022-2024) and Staffies (4,786) compared to just 22 reports for Old English Sheepdogs or 58 for West Highland Terriers.
In June, July and August last year the RSPCA took 34,401* cruelty calls to their emergency line – compared to 25,887* the year before – up 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.
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
