Animal cruelty on a 'sharp rise', says RSPCA

The charity said it received a call about animal cruelty every five minutes last summer

New figures released by an animal welfare charity have revealed a sharp increase in animal cruelty cases across the West.

Last year, the RSPCA received a report of animal cruelty every five minutes during its busiest summer months - but its officers said "the worst could be yet to come".

The charity said reports of animal abuse in Bristol were up by 11.27% this year, with Wiltshire and Somerset also seeing an increase of 13.7% and 10.3% respectively.

In response to this seasonal peak in cruelty, the organisation has now launched its ‘No Animal Deserves Cruelty’ summer appeal to raise money.

This dog was one of 16 found neglected in Somerset in March

Last summer, reports of intentional harm towards animals rose by 11% compared with the previous year, with animal beating reports also rising sharply - by 17%.

The RSPCA's appeal aimed to raise money to rescue animals from harm and give them the lives they deserved – "free from terror and torment".

According to the charity, more than 80% of any donation would go towards rescuing, rehoming and caring for abandoned pets, neglected animals and vulnerable wildlife.

Karen Colman, who heads up the RSPCA welfare oversight team, said: "Rescuing animals from cruelty, investigating harm caused to them, and acting to prevent animal abuse, is a job no other charity does.

"We’ll always be here to pick up the pieces and show those animals the kindness and care they deserve.”

Ms Coleman said this year, there have been 316 reports of animal cruelty reported in Bristol alone.

“Summer is a really challenging time for us - and we’re braced for another busy season on the frontline, but we cannot do this alone,” added Ms Coleman.

“That’s why our ‘No Animal Deserves Cruelty’ summer appeal seeks to tackle the rising and alarming levels of cruelty by raising vital funds to help those animals in desperate need - because every animal deserves kindness.”

Kevin Hodges says the centre has experienced an influx of animals to care for

Staff at the Ferne Animal Sanctuary in Chard, Somerset, are also feeling the pressure of caring for neglected and vulnerable animals.

Since the charity first launched in 1939, the centre has rescued, rehabilitated, or rehomed some 40,000 animals.

But CEO Kevin Hodges said, "it's never been this tough".

“In the last six-12 months, our increase in costs have been something like 50% year on year, an example of that being vet and medical by 60% alone," he said.

"That, for a charity like ours, is about a £350-£400,000 increase year on year."

Last month, Mr Hodges took on the challenge of sleeping rough for a week to raise money and highlight the plight of animals that had been abandoned in taped up boxes on the side of the road.