Reports of cruelty to dogs in Cambridgeshire rise by 8% in a year, says RSPCA
They are meant to be man’s best friend, but sadly cruelty towards dogs increased by 8 per cent in Cambridgeshire last year, new figures released by the RSPCA show.
In 2022, there were 648 reports made to the RSPCA in the area about cruelty to dogs, compared with 596 in 2021.
These heartbreaking figures include reports made about intentional harm, neglect and abandonments.
The type of incidents which come under intentional harm are attempted killing, poisoning, beating, improper killing, mutilation and suspicious circumstances. Shockingly, there were 95 reports of intentional harm to dogs in Cambridgeshire.
The charity has released the figures as part of its Cancel Out Cruelty campaign, in a bid to raise funds to help its frontline rescue teams continue to save animals from cruelty and abuse.
Kathryn Parfitt, chief inspector for Cambridgeshire, 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. 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 highlighted one case of three puppies, aged only about seven weeks old, found abandoned in Henshaw, in Peterborough, at about 10pm on January 10.
The little terrier pups, two females and one male, were thin and had heavy worm burden.
They were taken to a nearby vet for emergency treatment before being transferred to the Block Fen Animal Centre. All three have since been rehomed to loving families.
The RSPCA says its frontline teams are working hard to rescue animals in need this summer. To help, go to bit.ly/45ByzBM.
