Uptick in Animal Cruelty Cases Alarms Aniwal Welfare Charity in UK, Over 800 Cases Reported

An animal welfare charity based in the United Kingdom has reported an "alarming increase" in intentional cruelty against animals in the country.

Data from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) shows that there were more than 800 reported cases of animal abuse in the South East in 2022, the BBC reported.

In the said numbers, 395 were from Kent, which has the biggest increase of 19% compared to the 331 cases in 2021. 296 cases were also recorded in Sussex and 157 in Surrey.

"We are seeing an increase in reported dog beatings. We are hearing that more and more people are struggling with their pets," said Julie Parsons, an RSPCA rescue officer based in Brighton.

Parson also noted that there was an increase in the number of calls that they were attending.

The RSPCA report also reveals that animal beatings across the whole of England and Wales rose by 22% in 2022.

More than 1,000 reports of animal cruelty were recorded in August 2022 alone, which is equivalent to 35 incidents every day.

There is also an increase in the number of animals killed in "suspicious circumstances." From 775 in 2021, it rose to 891 in 2022, which is a 15% increase.

Potential Connection Of Cost of Living To Animal Welfare Crisis

The RSPCA cannot determine the specific reason for the increased number of animal cruelty cases; however, this might have a potential connection to the cost of living in the United Kingdom.

"The cost of living crisis and the post-pandemic world we live in has created an animal welfare crisis with more people getting pets with potentially less time and money to care for them," said Dermot Murphy, the RSPCA's inspectorate commissioner.

"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," he added.

Laura Westcough of Pink Paws Cat Rescue said the problem is getting worse and something needs to be done immediately. She even stressed. that most people cannot afford the veterinarian care prices.

"People just cannot afford to look after their animals. They have to choose to feed themselves or their animals," she said as quoted by Yahoo.

Cancel Out Cruelty Campaign

To counter animal cruelty and "prevent another summer of suffering", the RSPCA launched a campaign called "Cancel Out Cruelty'.

The group is asking for a donation of £6 to £12 ($7.64 - $15.27) to help animals in desperate needs.

The RSPCA is the only organization in England and Wales that rescues animals and investigate cruelty with their team of frontline rescue officers, specializing in vet and network of animal care facilities.

"Together, we believe we can and will cancel out cruelty to animals by replacing violence with kindness. We are urging people to donate to our Cancel Out Cruelty campaign, every donation will help animals," said Murphy.