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Animal beatings on the rise in Shropshire say RSPCA - with a case reported in the UK every 15 minutes

Animal beatings are on the rise according to the RSPCA, which says there has been an increasing in attacks in Shropshire.

By Dominic Robertson
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The animal protection charity said that it is now receiving one report of animal abuse for every 15 minutes its call line is open.

It has also revealed a 162 per cent rise in reports of beatings during summer months in Shropshire from 2020 to 2024, up from 16 to a shameful 42.

Kitten Berlioz suffered physical abuse at the hands of his former owner in the West Midlands resulting in multiple fractures to his skull and ribs.
Kitten Berlioz suffered physical abuse at the hands of his former owner in the West Midlands resulting in multiple fractures to his skull and ribs.

The charity said there had been 133 Shropshire reports in total over the period.

The charity is highlighting these stark figures as part of its Summer Cruelty Campaign. 

Kitten Berlioz suffered physical abuse at the hands of his former owner in the West Midlands 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. Picture: Brett Harkness
Kitten Berlioz suffered physical abuse at the hands of his former owner in the West Midlands 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. Picture: Brett Harkness

It said that instead of a time of sunshine and fun, for many animals, summer is when cruelty peaks.

Across England and Wales, there has been a 105 per cent rise in reports of beatings in summer over the last four years.

There were 1,613 for July and August 2020, compared to 3,304 in July and August 2024.

It said four beatings are reported every hour - or one every 15 minutes the call line is open.

The RSPCA said that year-on-year the number of beating reports has risen by 10 per cent, and the charity is braced for this to continue to climb this summer.

Spaniel puppy Bella was kicked by her owner and carried by the lead around her neck in the West Midlands - with her physical and emotional abuse captured on doorbell camera footage. The Spaniel was placed into a private boarding kennel caring for Bella on the RSPCA’s behalf, where kennel manager of 13 years, Dave Carpenter, developed a bond with the young dog and eventually gave her a loving forever home.
Spaniel puppy Bella was kicked by her owner and carried by the lead around her neck in the West Midlands - with her physical and emotional abuse captured on doorbell camera footage. The Spaniel was placed into a private boarding kennel caring for Bella on the RSPCA’s behalf, where kennel manager of 13 years, Dave Carpenter, developed a bond with the young dog and eventually gave her a loving forever home.

Ian Briggs, Head of SOU (Special Operations Unit) at the RSPCA, said: “These are really distressing and stark figures. 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.

“This is why our Summer Cruelty Campaign is so important to highlight that for thousands of animals, summer is a season of pain and suffering when cruelty peaks. As the RSPCA braces to help tackle animal cruelty, we need your help now more than ever to continue to rescue animals in desperate need of care.” 

Bella in her new home.
Bella in her new 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.”

Sadly, dogs were the most likely pet to be beaten with nearly 21,000 dog beating reports made to the charity last year alone with bulldog breeds the most likely to be abused (6,670 reports from 2022-2024) and Staffies (4,786) compared to just 22 reports for Old English Sheepdogs or 58 for West Highland Terriers.

In June, July and August last year the RSPCA took 34,401 cruelty calls to their emergency line - compared to 25,887 the year before - up by a third.

On average it took 374 reports of cruelty against animals every single day during this period or one call every two minutes the line was open.

 For more information about the appeal visit rspca.org.uk/endcruelty