Extent Of Dog Cruelty Revealed By RSPCA

The extent of dog cruelty across the region has been revealed by the RSPCA.

The charity received 700 reports in Leicestershire and 491 in Northamptonshire last year, with 250 cases  classed as ‘intentional harm’.

Incidents have increased on the previous 12 months and the charity fears numbers could rise further, with more people becoming dog owners during lockdown and the cost of living crisis.

Pic: RSPCA

One of the worst cases of cruelty was to a West Highland Terrier, found dumped outside the village of Draughton, near Maidwell in April.

The female dog, pictured above, had a tumour the size of a grapefruit, which was badly ulcerated, chronic urine scalding on her legs, fur badly matted with faeces and  infected eyes.

Vets decided the kindest thing to do was to put the dog to sleep to prevent her suffering further, as she was in a large amount of pain.

The cruelty figures have been released as part of the RSPCA’s ‘Cancel Out Cruelty’ campaign, which aims to educate about the scale of abuse and to encourage people to report mistreatment.

Esme Wheeler, a dog welfare expert at the charity, spoke to HFM’s Nick Shaw: