RSPCA reports a higher percentage increase in animal cruelty in Suffolk than nationally

Cases of animal cruelty in Suffolk reported to the RSPCA rose by 20 per cent last year, to 132.

That’s six per cent higher than the national increase in intentional harm to animals, which stood at 14 per cent.

The kinds of practices include beatings, mutilations such as ear cropping, poisoning and even killings.

Adam Jones, RSPCA chief inspector for Suffolk, called the statistics ‘heartbreaking’.

He continued: “While we don’t know for certain why there has been an increase in reports of cruelty, the cost-of-living crisis and the post-pandemic world has created an animal welfare crisis, with more people getting pets with potentially less time and money to care for them.

“Each year, these reports of cruelty reach its terrible annual peak in the summer months – when, nationally, we receive a report of an animal being beaten on average every hour of every day.

“The cost-of-living crisis also means the cost of rescuing animals is at an all-time high and our vital services are stretched to the limit.”

It is not known why reports of animal cruelty peak in the summer months although factors like animal abuse being more visible as people are outdoors more, could be one factor.

Nationally, out of all cruelty complaints reported to the charity 2022, 77 per cent were beatings. This kind of abuse also increased by 22 per cent last year.

The number of animals killed in ‘suspicious circumstances’ increased by 15 per cent in 2022.

The RSPCA has launched a Cancel Out Cruelty campaign, to raise funds to help its frontline rescue teams continue to save animals from cruelty and abuse – and to raise awareness about how to stop cruelty to animals.

Adam added: “Together, we believe we can and will cancel out cruelty to animals by replacing violence with kindness.”