Leicestershire is witnessing a worrying rise in animal cruelty cases this summer, as new figures from the RSPCA reveal a national surge of 33 per cent in cruelty reports across England and Wales – with local incidents also on the rise.
The figures, released today (July 1) as part of the RSPCA’s Summer Cruelty Campaign, show that cruelty reports spike during the warmer months – a hidden side to summer that many are unaware of.
Picture: Bella (credit: RSPCA)
Across the country, the RSPCA dealt with 34,401 cruelty reports during June, July and August last year, up from 25,887 the previous year – an increase of over a third. That’s an average of 374 reports every single day, or one every two minutes.
In Leicestershire and Rutland, the rise was also significant: the number of cruelty reports grew from 445 in 2022 to 490 in 2023 – marking a 10% increase in just one year.
To shine a light on the scale of the problem – and the charity’s lifesaving work – the RSPCA has launched a new campaign video featuring four animals rescued from horrific cruelty. Among them is Bella, a young Staffordshire bull terrier-cross from Leicester.
Bella was found emaciated, battered, and locked in a cage inside a flat in Leicester. Her recovery has been remarkable – she now lives a happy, healthy life in a loving new home. The person responsible was banned from keeping animals for life and received a prison sentence.
According to the RSPCA, the summer spike may be linked to the post-pandemic rise in pet ownership, and the fact that longer days mean more people are outside – and therefore more likely to witness and report abuse.
However, a recent YouGov survey found that 78% of UK adults are unaware that animal cruelty is most frequently reported during summer.
RSPCA Chief Inspector Ian Briggs, a national expert in cruelty cases, said: “We are seeing a shocking rise in the number of seasonal calls reporting animal cruelty to our emergency line. Sadly the summer months tend to be when these reports peak.
“We don’t know for sure why cruelty peaks at this time of year, but the surge in pet ownership during the pandemic has played a factor, while the longer days mean more people may witness and report such violence.
“This year, sadly, we fear the trend will continue and we are busier than ever rescuing animals from many awful situations. Many are broken by violence – not just physically but mentally – and our dedicated network of branches, animal centres and rescue teams work wonders in nursing them back to health and showing them how love can help transform their lives.
For more information, or to support the appeal, visit rspca.org.uk/summer.
