They may be man’s best friend – but sadly cruelty towards dogs has increased for the second year in a row, new figures released by the RSPCA show.
The number of reports the animal charity has received about intentional harm to dogs has risen since 2020.
In 2022, there were 9,776 reports made to the RSPCA about intentional harm to dogs, compared with 8,176 in 2021 and 7,691 in 2020. That’s a rise of 27% in just three years.
This means in 2022, a staggering 27 dogs a day were cruelly treated – more than one every hour.
The type of incidents that come under intentional harm are attempted killing, poisoning, beating, improper killing, mutilation and suspicious circumstances.
Overall, the number of reports made to the RSPCA about dogs – including intentional harm, neglect and abandonments – in 2022 was 42,690, a 7% increase from 2021 (39,797).
In summer months cases of cruelty rise and the charity is braced for its busiest time of the year.
The charity has released the heartbreaking 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.
Dog lover, Dermot Murphy, who heads up the RSPCA’s frontline rescue officers, 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 so 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 – 27 dogs a day are cruelly treated – one every hour.
“Everyone who cares about animals will be sickened to know that during the summer rise in cruelty that on average there is a report every hour of a dog 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.
