VIDEO: The number of complaints of animal cruelty investigated by the RSPCA on the Isle of Wight increased by 3.1% in 2016, figures released today (Wednesday) reveal.
Last year the RSPCA investigated 330 cases of cruelty across the Island, a rise of 10 from 320 in 2015. Nationally there were 400 allegations of animal cruelty every day last year – a total of 148,604 and a rise of nearly 5% from 2015.
The figures show that calls to the RSPCA’s 24-hour cruelty hotline also rose by nearly 4%, which amounted to more than 1.15million calls last year.
A particular case of interest on the Island involved Tony and Kaye Toogood from Brading who admitted causing unnecessary suffering to 2 dogs, known as Daisy and Minnie, in November 2016.
Tony admitted failing to ensure the animals were appropriately groomed and that an underlying skin disease and bacterial infection received veterinary care. He was disqualified from keeping animals for life and received a 3-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months. He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge and court costs of £150 and given 180 hours unpaid work and 20 hours rehabilitation activity requirement.
Kaye, his wife, pleaded guilty to 1 count of causing unnecessary suffering in relation to Daisy by failing to ensure the animal was appropriately groomed and that underlying skin disease and bacterial infection received veterinary care. She disqualified for keeping animals for life and cannot contest the ban for 2 years. She also received a curfew order and had to pay a victim surcharge and court costs of £150.
Inspector Mark Buggie said:
“These dogs were quite simply not getting the care they deserved. They were in a great deal of discomfort and their needs were not being taken care of.”
Article continues below this advertisement
Both dogs found loving new homes immediately after the court case. Minnie is going from strength to strength but sadly Daisy has since passed away.
The RSPCA’s leading inspector believes the surge in calls to Britain’s biggest animal welfare charity is down to the public becoming more aware and less tolerant of animal cruelty and neglect, rather than a sign that people are becoming crueler.
Dermot Murphy, Assistant Director of the RSPCA Inspectorate, said:
“I believe that the figures from last year show that we’re not becoming crueler, but that people are simply less willing to stand by and do nothing if they think an animal is suffering.
“People are increasingly likely to share images or footage on their social media accounts of animals they believe are not being cared for properly, while many will see material their friends have shared and then contact us about them.
“Either way, our officers are under increased pressure having to respond to more calls and investigate more complaints, but it is thanks to their dedication, as well as RSPCA staff and volunteers across England and Wales that we are able to transform the lives of tens of thousands of animals each year.”
The number of people convicted of animal cruelty offences in the South West region was 93, down from 104 in 2015. Nationally 684 people were convicted, down from 754 in 2015.
