RSPCA called to more than 1,000 West Yorks incidents
THE RSPCA has revealed it has dealt with more than 21,000 animal incidents In the month since the start of the lockdown.
That is an average of 660 a day, or 27 an hour and 1,016 of those incidents have been in West Yorkshire.
The charity has released the figures as part of its emergency appeal, launched to keep its rescue teams out on the road during the coronavirus crisis and continuing to rescue animals most in need.
Animal rescuers at the charity have been designated key workers by the government but vital funding is needed.
Since the Government announced the lockdown on 24 March, RSPCA rescuers have dealt with:
21,137 incidents of animal cruelty and suffering animals
More than 66,000 calls from members of the public
4,200 animals in RSPCA care
The charity has rescued more than 1,274 abandoned animals in need.
One of the amazing incidents its staff dealt with was a pheasant hit by a car and sucked through the front grille on impact which was, incredibly, found living under the vehicle’s bonnet eight days later.
The bird was only discovered when a dog walker went past the parked car and his pet took a keen interest in the front of the vehicle. The bird’s feathers were then spotted by the man.
He alerted the RSPCA who were able to trace the owner of the vehicle to a nearby house in Rednal, near Birmingham.
After being cared for and rehydrated the bird was released back into the wild.
Dermot Murphy, Chief Inspectorate Officer, said: “Despite the lockdown, there are still thousands of animals which need our help.
“Our frontline rescuers are still out and about rescuing animals in urgent need of care.
“The coronavirus crisis hasn’t put a stop to animal suffering and these figures show there are still many animals out there that need help.”