RSPCA called to more cases involving multiple pets

Staffordshire bull terrier Miley was neglected and emaciated when he came to the RSPCA

The number of animal cruelty cases in the South West involving more than one pet from the same household has risen, the RSPCA said.

Charity leaders said they feared the increase was partly due to a growth in pet ownership during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Comparing cases between June and August 2024 and the same period in 2023 Devon saw calls rise from 557 to 643 while Cornwall saw a drop from 309 to 218.

Emily Bowen, CEO of RSPCA Cornwall, said: "There might be one call that goes in but when the inspector gets there they might be faced with multiple animals that then require removal from that property."

George, a Cane Corso, was found emaciated and neglected in a house in Cornwall with around twenty other dogs and cats

She said the charity had seen "a lot of cases of neglect where animals are emaciated".

"That seems a bit more common this year than in previous years and we are not really sure of the reasons for that," Ms Bowen said.

In one case, a woman from Cornwall was taken to court and banned from keeping animals for five years after the RSPCA prosecuted her for abusing a pony.

She was caught on camera kicking and punching the animal.

The court heard it suffered mentally and physically due to the attacks and was also kept in poor conditions.

The pony was removed and has since gone on to find a loving home.

Lulu, a cross breed, has been at the RSPCA in Cornwall for nearly two years

The RSPCA said it usually sees a spike in reports over the summer, as longer summer days meant more people were out and likely to witness violence.

Nationally, the charity said it took one call reporting animal cruelty every two minutes its lines were open - averaging 374 reports a day - and up a third last summer compared to the same period in 2023.

George, a cane corso - a type of mastiff, was found emaciated and neglected in a house in Cornwall with about 20 other dogs and cats.

The owner was prosecuted and, while all the other dogs and cats have found homes, George is still looking for a foster home or a family wanting to adopt him.

While many animals go on to get rehomed relatively quickly, some stay with the RSPCA longer.

Lulu, a cross breed, as been in the RSPCA's care for nearly two years.

She was the only dog in the home she came from, so is nervous around other dogs.

However, she was "great with people and kids aged 10+", the charity said.

RSPCA chief inspector Ian Briggs, an expert in cruelty cases, said: "We are seeing a shocking rise in the number of seasonal calls reporting animal cruelty to our emergency line.

He said: "Sadly the summer months tend to be when these reports peak.

"This year, sadly, we fear the trend will continue and we are busier than ever rescuing animals from many awful situations."