Latest figures from the RSPCA show that Devon had 255 reports of intentional harm against animals made to the RSPCA last year.
The national figures released today by the RSPCA, show that in 2022 the charity saw a 22% increase in reports of beatings (9,658 in 2022, compared to 7,857 in 2021) that’s 26 every day. 77% of all cruelty complaints reported to the charity 2022 were beatings
The number of beatings reported to the RSPCA in 2022 peaked in August and the number of animals killed in ‘suspicious circumstances’ increased in 2022 by 15% from by 2021 (891 in 2022, compared to 775 in 2021)
Richard Abbott, chief inspector for Devon said: “Right now, animal cruelty is happening in England and Wales on a massive scale and rising. and sadly the number of cruelty incidents in Devon is also too high. It is heartbreaking that we are seeing figures which show animal cruelty is very sadly, on the rise.
“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 we live in has created an animal welfare crisis."
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