Startling RSPCA figures show West Midlands in top two for animal beatings with a 107-per-cent rise
The West Midlands has the second highest rate of animal beatings nationwide this summer according to new RSPCA figures.
The animal charity says beatings are on the rise by 105 per-cent, with one report of animal abuse made every 15 minutes their call line is open
In the West Midlands, there has been a 107 per-cent rise in reports of beatings during the summer months from 2020 to 2024 and 773 reports in total, meaning the region has the second highest figures for the whole of England and Wales.
The charity is highlighting these stark figures as part of its Summer Cruelty Campaign. Instead of a time of sunshine and fun, for many animals, summer is when cruelty peaks.
Year on year, the number of beating reports has risen by ten-per-cent and the charity is braced for this to continue to climb this summer.
Ian Briggs, from the RSPCA said: "One report of an animal being beaten every half an hour is a horrible thought, but sadly this is the reality in summer when our cruelty line receives a beating report every 30 minutes.
"It isn’t clear why there has been such a dramatic increase in abuse against animals, but what is clear is that animals are suffering at the hands of people on a much bigger scale than many people realise. "
In the West Midlands, kitten Berlioz suffered physical abuse at the hands of his former owner resulting in multiple fractures to his skull and ribs.
After fostering Berlioz and helping to rehabilitate the young kitten, animal rescuer Jonny and his family later adopted him and he is now a much-loved member of their family
In another case, Spaniel puppy Bella was kicked by her owner and carried by the lead around her neck - with her physical and emotional abuse captured on doorbell camera footage.
She was placed into a private boarding kennel on the RSPCA’s behalf, where the manager of 13 years, Dave Carpenter, developed a bond with the young dog and eventually gave her a loving forever home.
Ian added: “We’re finding that CCTV footage, doorbell cameras and smartphones are providing a view into society that we never had before, meaning that animal beatings are more likely to be caught on camera in supermarket car parks, on streets, in lifts, and even behind closed doors in the home - giving us the evidence we need to be able to seek justice for animals like Bella.
"This could account for the rise that we are seeing as these awful abusers are more likely to be caught on camera, uploaded to social media or reported directly to us.
"On average we took 374 reports of cruelty against animals every single day during this period or one call EVERY two minutes the line was open and this can't continue."
