Shropshire animal cruelty calls hit four a day

The charity's annual cruelty statistics revealed that 1,348 complaints of animal cruelty in the county were investigated by its inspectors during 2017.

This amounts to 2.77 cases per 1,000 population, well above the average for England and Wales of 2.53 per 1,000.

Cases investigated in Shropshire included that of a cat in Oswestry that was snared in a crude home-made trap because a neighbour didn't like it straying into his garden. An abandoned Shar Pei dog found wandering the streets in Bridgnorth was in such poor condition that it could not be saved.

Dogs made up the biggest share of the calls, accounting for 737 cases, followed by 295 for cats and 136 for horses and donkeys.

Kelly Lake, the RSPCA’s chief inspector for the county, said she was shocked by some of the cases of cruelty the charity had to deal with.

“Animal cruelty horrifies much of today’s society and this figure tells us that there are suffering animals in the county who need our help every day.

Shocking

“It is shocking that people can be capable of such deliberate brutality towards animals, but equally it drives us on to ensure that perpetrators of animal cruelty are put before the courts."

She said the charity depended on information from the public not only to give a voice to animals in desperate need but also to help its officer bring abusers to justice.

"Our officers are under increased pressure, having to respond to more calls and investigate more complaints, but it is thanks to their dedication, as well as RSPCA staff and volunteers that we are able to transform the lives of thousands of animals in Shropshire each year," she added.

The highest number of complaints investigated were in Greater London (11,259), followed by Greater Manchester (7,472) and then West Yorkshire (6,969), with the West Midlands accounting for 6,216 cases.

However Shropshire fared worse than London, Greater Manchester and the West Midlands when the size of the population was taken into account.

This year, the RSPCA is focusing on the plight of horses as animal rescuers and welfare charities struggle to cope with an ongoing equine crisis.

The charity said nearly 1,000 horses were rescued by the charity from cruelty, suffering and neglect last year, and 928 horses are still in the charity's care.

Concerns can be reported to the charity on 0300 1234 999.