00:00Reports of animal cruelty surged by a third across England and Wales last summer, according to new figures shared exclusively with the BBC.
00:12Between June and August 2024, the RSPCA received over 34,000 reports of cruelty, an increase of nearly 8,500 from the same period the year before.
00:25That spike, the charity says, is part of a pattern it sees every summer.
00:29Longer daylight hours mean more people are outside and more likely to witness abuse.
00:36On average, the RSPCA dealt with 374 cruelty reports every day during those three months alone.
00:44Over the whole of 2024, the charity recorded more than 105,000 cruelty reports.
00:51But when looking at the summer months specifically, that increase jumps to 33%.
00:57Chief Inspector Ian Briggs from the RSPCA says while summer should be a time of joy, it's often not for the animals they're called to help.
01:07He said, for thousands of animals, it's a season of pain, fear and suffering when cruelty peaks.
01:14Experts believe the issue may be more complex than simple neglect or violence.
01:18Dr. Rowena Packer, Senior Lecturer at the Royal Retinary College, says some inexperienced pet owners may be struggling, especially during the school holidays, when children and dogs are home together.
01:33Her research shows dogs bought during the pandemic are more likely to display problem behaviours.
01:40That's led some owners to turn to harsh training methods, often picked up online.
01:46She warned that owners are becoming less likely to seek veterinary care in an appropriate time frame, which is a challenge because some problems can exacerbate quite rapidly.
01:58And for those worried about cost, she offered this reminder that many major animal welfare charities have free behaviour hotlines or free behavioural advice.
02:10The government responded to the rise of animal cruelty by reaffirming its position.
02:14A spokesperson from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said,
02:21All cases of animal cruelty are unacceptable and should be investigated thoroughly.
