Animal beatings on the rise, report shows

There has been a 94% rise in the number of beatings reported in Devon, where Princess was taken into an RSPCA shelter

Animals beatings are on the rise in the south-west of England, according to a report released by the RSPCA.

There has been a 94% rise in the number of beatings reported in Devon during the summer months, between 2020 to 2024. In Cornwall, there has been a 40% rise in reports of beatings during the same period.

Across the two counties, there has been a 105% rise in reports of beatings in summer over the past four years, rising from 1,613 for July/August 2020 to 3,304 in July/August 2024.

Ian Briggs, head of the special operations unit, said it was "not clear" why there had been such an increase but "animals are suffering at the hands of people on a much bigger scale than many people realise".

Princess was beaten and her ears were most likely clipped by scissors

According to the charity, a report of animal abuse is made in England and Wales every 15 minutes to the RSPCA.

Princess, a pocket bully, was beaten and her ears were most likely clipped with scissors.

'Distressing' figures

She was brought into RSPCA Little Valley Animal Shelter, in Devon, by inspectors and is in need of a new home.

Speaking about the national picture, Mr Briggs, added: "These are really distressing and stark figures.

"One report of an animal being beaten every half an hour is a horrible thought, but sadly this is the reality in summer when our cruelty line receives a beating report every 30 minutes.

The charity added that on average, it handled 374 reports of cruelty against animals every single day or one call every two minutes the line was open.