RSPCA reveals more than 250 animal abuse reports in Northumberland so far this year

The animal welfare charity has launched its ‘No Animal Deserves Cruelty’ summer appeal as this is its expected busiest period of the year.

Nationally, last year it received a report of animal cruelty every five minutes during its busiest summer months.

Karen Colman, who heads up the RSPCA welfare oversight team, said: “Sadly, animal cruelty reports are on the rise this year – and in Northumberland alone, we’ve seen 253 animal cruelty reports already this year.

“Reports of international harm towards animals and beatings also rose sharply across the country last summer, so we’re preparing for a difficult period ahead.

“But 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.

“Our ‘No Animal Deserves Cruelty’ summer appeal – www.rspca.org.uk/summercruelty – seeks to tackle the rising levels of cruelty by raising vital funds to help those animals in desperate need because every animal deserves kindness.”

A cruelty incident the RSPCA has dealt with in the county includes when a baby hedgehog was seen being kicked by four teenagers. A member of the public witnessed the distressing incident in Ashington last September.

She took the hedgehog home before contacting a local wildlife group.

The hoglet was examined and found to have a graze on the underside of her tail and a missing toenail but no other obvious external injuries. Sadly, she died later on the same day.