LAST year, the RSPCA received 1,446 reports about cruelty to dogs in the county, compared to 1,363 in 2022.

Nationally, in 2023, the RSPCA received 52,662 reports about cruelty to dogs – around 144 a day – compared to 48,567 in 2022 – an increase of 8% in just one year.

The charity received 42,613 reports on cruelty to dogs in 2020, marking a 23% increase in just four years. In 2021, the number of reports was 44,479 – meaning the figures have been rising year-on-year.

The new figures have been released by the RSPCA as part of its No Animal Deserves Cruelty summer appeal.

“It is heartbreaking that more dogs need our help – we need to make a stand against this and say ‘no more’,” said Chris Sherwood, Chief Executive of the RSPCA. “Dogs are supposed to be man’s best friend, yet more and more dogs are being subjected to cruelty every year. Dogs are the most popular pet in the UK yet also the ones who potentially suffer the most.

“We would love to see, next year, cruelty going down. We know we can’t do this alone – so our purpose is for everyone to work together to create a kinder world for animals. That’s why we’ve launched our summer appeal, because it’s vital that we all take action together to help animals like these dogs.”

Essex case study

The body of a dog was found in a bin bag and sports bag in Gosfield.

The body was found by a member of the public in February inside a carrier bag on a footpath off Park Hall Road in a remote spot.

The finder contacted the police who attended the location and collected the dog’s body. The bull breed dog was wrapped in a bin bag and JD Sports Bag and there was sellotape around the dog’s back legs.

The dog was an entire male with cropped ears, and appeared to look like a “toad line” type breed

The dog was taken to the vet and examined, he had bruising on his abdomen, cuts to the inside of his mouth and blood around his muzzle.

What you can do to help

To donate to the RSPCA’s No Animal Deserves Cruelty summer appeal, go to rspca.org.uk/appeal.

If you suspect an animal is being cruelly treated, you can find out how to report this on the RSPCA’s website. Before contacting the RSPCA to make a report, be sure you have the following information to hand:
Your name, address and telephone number
The date, time and location/address of the incident – you can use what3words for a precise location
A description of the animal’s environment and body condition
If known, the name and address of the person involved
Names and addresses of any witnesses
The registration number and description of any vehicle involved.
All reports made to the RSPCA are made in confidence.