The RSPCA warned of an 'animal welfare crisis' as it released increasingly grim figures - but said there was an active role the public could play in helping to prevent more cruelty.
The RSPCA has said it is bracing itself for a 'summer of cruelty', as figures showed a rise in cases of animal beatings and harm. The charity said the trend in cruelty reports was 'worrying' and warned concern was growing over an 'animal welfare crisis'. In the first six months of 2024, there were 44,879 reports of animal cruelty - a jump of 896 compared to the same time last year.
Karen Colman, who heads up the RSPCA welfare oversight team, said: 'Sadly, reports of intentional harm and beatings towards animals rose sharply last summer - and we've already seen more than 44,000 animal cruelty reports so far this year alone, 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.
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