Summer cruelty to animals has increased 64 per cent over a five-year period, new research from the RSPCA reveals. Reports of cruelty peak over the summer months every year, with the RSPCA receiving 6,322 cruelty calls to their emergency line last year – one call every 10 minutes when the line is open.
‘We don’t know for sure what is driving this peak in cruelty reports, but the surge in pet ownership during the pandemic has played a part, while the longer days mean more people may witness and report such violence during the summer months,’ says RSPCA superintendent Jo Hirst.
The charity has also stated concerns over further increase in cruelty this year, against the backdrop of the FIFA World Cup. Research shows that domestic abuse incidents spike during football tournaments, especially after England games, and pets can also be victims during these times. This is predominantly due to an increase in alcohol consumption and turbulent emotional responses to a win or loss.
The RSPCA has seen cases of coercive control being linked to instances of animal abuse, with perpetrators using violence against animals as a way of manipulating their partners into staying in the abusive relationship.
‘Some victims are more aware that their pets may be getting harmed but are scared to report it as they know they are at risk and want to protect themselves,’ says RSPCA inspector Miranda Albinson. ‘Often their pets are the only comfort they have in this situation and the abuser knows and exploits this too.’
RSPCA inspectors are trained to spot the red flags associated with domestic violence and associated abuse, and work closely with the police, social services and the NSPCC to support victims and their pets.
In response to these challenges, the RSPCA has launched a domestic abuse help page on its website, which includes a feature to keep users safe: an exit button which shuts down the page and takes the user to the Google homepage with the search history of the RSPCA page deleted. The charity has launched its Cruelty Hurts, Love Rescues summer appeal, calling for support during the upcoming summer months of increased reports of animal cruelty.
Top image credit: mrs/Getty Images
