RSPCA Berkshire seeks public support to fight “animal welfare crisis”

Hundreds of reports of dog cruelty were received in Berkshire last year.

Figures released by the RSPCA have revealed 434 reports about dog cruelty in Berkshire last year.

In 2022, the charity saw a 22 per cent rise in reports of beatings, which peaked last August with 1,081 reports — a staggering 35 a day.

The heartbreaking figures also include reports about intentional harm, neglect and abandonment.

Shockingly, the charity says there were 81 reports of intentional harm to dogs in Berkshire.

The charity has released the figures as part of its Cancel Out Cruelty campaign, aiming to raise funds to help its frontline rescue teams continue to save animals from cruelty and abuse.

Acting RSPCA chief inspector for Berkshire, Stephen Reeves, 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.”

He continued: “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.

The charity’s statistics also show that the number of animals killed in ‘suspicious circumstances’ increased by 15 per cent from 775 in 2021 to 891 in 2022.

“Right now, animal cruelty is happening in England and Wales on a massive scale and rising,” said RSPCA inspectorate commissioner, Dermot Murphy.

“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 their 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.”

As the only charity in England and Wales investigating cruelty and rescuing animals, the RSPCA needs public support to stay out on the frontline.

Donating as little as £2 could help to provide a meal for a cat or dog.

Please visit https://www.rspca.org.uk/canceloutcruelty to donate.