Cruelty to dogs increased on the Isle of Wight in 2023, shocking figures from the RSPCA show. Last year, the RSPCA received 124 reports about cruelty to dogs on the Island, compared to 109 in 2022 – an increase of 13%. Nationally, in 2023, the RSPCA received 52,662 reports about cruelty to dogs – around 144 a day – compared to 48,567 in 2022 – an increase of 8% in just 1 year. The charity received 42,613 reports on cruelty to dogs in 2020, marking a 23% increase in just 4 years. In 2021, the number of reports was 44,479 – meaning the figures have been rising year-on-year. The new figures have been released by the RSPCA as part of its No Animal Deserves Cruelty summer appeal. Chris Sherwood, Chief Executive of the RSPCA, says:
“It is heartbreaking that more dogs need our help – we need to make a stand against this and say ‘no more’. Dogs are supposed to be man’s best friend, yet more and more dogs are being subjected to cruelty every year. Dogs are the most popular pet in the UK yet also the ones who potentially suffer the most. “We would love to see, next year, cruelty going down. We know we can’t do this alone – so our purpose is for everyone to work together to create a kinder world for animals. That’s why we’ve launched our summer appeal, because it’s vital that we all take action together to help animals like these dogs.”
If you suspect an animal is being cruelly treated, you can find out how to report this on the RSPCA’s website. All reports made to the RSPCA are made in confidence.
Perhaps each cruelty report should be reported here and the perpetrators named and shamed alongside all the drug and drunk drivers. They are probably under the influence as well. Where are the prosecutions, if any?
Anyone caught doing harm to innocent animals
need locking up.
I so agree and sent to prison and banned for life on keeping animals and community ser ice at an animal charity with supervision ti ensure no cruelty
Abusing an animal is the same as punching a baby in the face. We need face photos, names and addresses of these abusive individuals. If you abuse animals, you probably abuse other things so I’d expect each offender to be subject to massive scrutiny including checking all their internet use devices. If my neighbour abused animals, I’d want to know about it so that I can limit my interaction with them, protect my own animals and make an informed decision about safeguarding. Animal abusers are also potential people abusers and show no regard for others. Ban them for life from ever being near an animal, let alone owning one, jail them and force them to raise money for animal charities for the rest of their lives.