New RSPCA figures have revealed an increase in animal cruelty reports in the county
New figures have revealed that animal cruelty is on the rise in Cambridgeshire, according to the RSPCA. Cambridgeshire saw a 17 per cent increase in the number of cruelty reports over the summer months last year.
According to the RSPCA figures, 81 reports of deliberate harm to animals were reported in the county last summer, up from 69 the previous year. This forms part of a wider trend nationally, with a 64 per cent increase in just five years.
RSPCA Superintendent Jo Hirst said: “It’s incredibly alarming that we are seeing year after year of rising reports of cruelty. The summer months are our busiest times of year and our frontline rescue teams, specialist vets, behaviourists, rehabilitation and rehoming teams, will be working tirelessly to help as many animals as possible.”
Nationally, the RSPCA received 6,322 cruelty calls to their emergency line last year which is one call every 10 minutes when the line is open in June, July and August. In comparison, the charity took 3,852 calls for the same period in 2021 – showing a “massive” 64% increase in just five years.
In one Cambridgeshire cruelty case, a kitten suffered horrific deliberate injuries which resulted in several injuries including fractures, bruising to the head and tail and the perpetrator admitted causing the injuries by inflicting trauma.
The kitten died, and a RSPCA investigation led to the prosecution of a man, resulting in a lifetime ban on keeping animals and a suspended prison sentence for the offence.
RSPCA has launched a ‘Cruelty Hurts, Love Rescues’ campaign to raise awareness in response to the “shocking” figures. It has also raised concerns about a potential further increase in cruelty during the World Cup.
Research has shown domestic abuse incidents spike during football tournaments, and reportedly, pets can also suffer from this crime, although not a direct cause.
In one case, a kitten named Chester was left “close to death” after he was subjected to a series of attacks by a man while his partner was at work.
The woman returned from work and found her three-month-old kitten hiding and terrified with a visible eye injury and in obvious pain. She rushed him to a vet and it was found Chester had a swollen jaw, neurological issues and an injured leg.
The vet became suspicious and alerted RSPCA, who took Chester away for safety reasons.
After realising her kitten had been a victim of violence, the woman reached out to her mum, police and RSPCA for help. She left the relationship and her partner later pleaded guilty to multiple animal welfare offences.
Chester was fostered by the charity where he made a full recovery and has since been reunited with his owner in a new home.
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