There were 108 reports made to the RSPCA about cruelty towards dogs on the Isle of Wight last year, including 18 of intentional harm, new figures reveal.
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).
The type of incidents that come under intentional harm are attempted killing, poisoning, beating, improper killing, mutilation and suspicious circumstances. Shockingly, there were 18 reports of intentional harm to dogs on the Isle of Wight.
The charity has released the heartbreaking figures 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.
Paul Williams, chief inspector for Hampshire, says:
“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.”
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Dermot Murphy, RSPCA inspectorate commissioner, said:
“Right now, 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.
“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.”
Dogs have a mind like a little child, they feel this abuses so deeply. I am not a religious man, but if there is a hell, I hope there is a special kind of pain for the animals that do this. Like the people who cut dogs ears or tails for ‘fashion’.
Anybody who hurts a poor dog should BURN IN HELL
“If there is a hell”, you will be heading straight there in a handcart fready given your many misdeeds. For they are many…
The claimed increase in reports has not translated into an increase in prosecutions. Prosecution numbers are way below average.
Either this is a massive FAIL for the RSPCA, or, more likely, reports are increasingly malicious or made by people who know little or nothing about animals and the way they live.
Interesting that this has been put out as a press release in time for the bank holiday readers. Fund raising tactics using pity porn to drive donations, perhaps
The big problem for the RSPCA, and the Police is presenting a case to the Crown Prosecution. They require 200% evidence before they will accept it as worthy of trial.
The problem is they do f all
The RSPCA do not present cases to the CPS. They bring cases as private prosecutors via their own legal department and a few select prosecution teams.
Anyone who is cruel to animals deserves to be put in a cage and pelted with dog pooh … polite version…
Evil scum ,pathetic scum ,pure scum….
Defenceless animals deserve love not abuse ….
100% agree Miss Sensible. Anyone who abuses animals, including dogs are pure scum. If I knew of anyone who was intentionally harming an animal I would would not hesitate in contacting the appropriate authorities.
Bastards. Anyone who intentionally harms any animal is not right in the head. Dogs are just so loving and loyal and need to be treated as part of the family. Anyone who has a dog and gets its ears ‘cropped’ or crops them themselves are not true dog lovers. They just want the dog as a fashion statement or to pose with the poor thing. Like I said, Bastards.