Cats highlighted in RSPCA cruelty report
The charity said the increase was partly due to a rise in pet ownership during the coronavirus pandemic. It said longer days in the summer also meant more people were out and likely to witness cruelty, contributing to report spikes.The report said Berlioz was now living with the RSPCA officer who had helped save him and Benito had also been found a new home.
'Season of pain, fear and suffering'
Ian Briggs, chief inspector for the RSPCA, said: "Summer should be a season of joy for animals. Long walks on golden evenings. Zoomies on the beach. Stretching out in the garden to soak up the sun."But there's a side to summer you don't see. For thousands of animals, it's a season of pain, fear and suffering, when cruelty peaks."On average, the RSPCA received 374 reports of animal cruelty every day in June to August 2024.It received 88,770 reports of cruelty across the whole year in 2023, which rose to 105,250 in 2024 - up 19%.The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs said the government was committed to upholding the highest animal welfare standards.It said: "All cases of animal cruelty are unacceptable and should be investigated thoroughly. Offenders can face a maximum sentence of five years' imprisonment and an unlimited fine if found guilty."
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