Huge jump in animal abuse cases in Northumberland
Nearly two pets a week in Northumberland were beaten and abused by their owners last year, according to shocking new animal rescue charity figures.
The RSPCA say their staff were called to 103 cases of animals being beaten and injured in the county - a figure which had almost doubled in the last five year.
The 103 cases represent a 43% rise on the 72 recorded in 2021 – and part of a national picture which has shown a 90% increase.
The charity says the 16,033 beating incidents reported to it last year equates to one every 15 minutes when it’s cruelty line is open.
The RSPCA says dogs and cats usually face the brunt of these attacks - and it is often someone in the pet’s own family perpetrating the violence.
The new statistics have been released as part of the charity’s Cruelty Hurts, Love Rescues campaign which coincides with the summer – the charity’s busiest time as cruelty reports.
RSPCA Superintendent Jo Hirst said: “It’s incredibly distressing to see such a massive rise in reports of intentional beatings.
“The reasons why some people act in this way can be down to a multitude of factors - if they are struggling with behavioural problems or their mental health, they may have violent tendencies generally.
"Sometimes the perpetrator simply has a complete lack of empathy for animals.”
RSPCA rescuers have praised the public for their help in tackling the cruelty - not only through donations that keep officers on the frontline - but in reporting incidents to the charity’s emergency line on 0300 1234 999 from 7am to 10pm.
Jo added: “To help rescue animals from these situations we rely on the public to be our eyes and ears and report any concerns about animal abuse to us and we are grateful that so many people do and are more aware of the problem.
“We’re also finding that CCTV footage, doorbell cameras and smartphones are providing a view into society that we never had before, meaning that animal beatings are more likely to be caught on camera.
“We’ve rescued countless animals from horrific settings - but sadly others we deal with have died at the hands of their abuser and it is then our role to try and bring them to justice.”
One Dobermann dog was found by RSPCA rescuers suffering with two skull fractures and a catalogue of other severe wounds after the charity responded to reports that a man had beaten and attempted to strangle a dog in a garden.
Nelson suffered serious head wounds and other visible injuries and was seized by police and handed into RSPCA care.
He was given emergency treatment and, after months in care, has since been rehomed.
A man was found guilty of four offences under the Animal Welfare Act.