Alarmed and upset by rise in cruelty cases

THE article about an RSPCA report concerning cruelty to dogs was both alarming and upsetting (“700 dog cruelty cases reported”, Mercury, August 8).

Lockdown saw a huge increase in dog ownership with many animals probably bought on impulse.

With the economic future looking bleak and current price rises already affecting family budgets, not only are pets becoming less affordable but the owners’ worries, anger and frustrations are being taken out on their blameless animals.

Animal neglect or lack of appropriate care can be rectified with advice from any reputable animal welfare centre. However, it was reported that in the UK there are 23 reports daily of animal beatings.

There were 700 reports of animal cruelty in Leicestershire and Rutland last year with a 16 per cent increase. The RSPCA’s campaign, “Cancel out Cruelty” is intended to combat the deliberate, often violent acts of abuse inflicted on animals such as being beaten, stabbed, burned, drowned, poisoned and starved. According to the US Centre for a Humane Economy there is substantial literature showing violence towards humans and animal abuse are related.

It also says, “animal cruelty is the reddest flag of all for mass murderers” and dog fighting, bestiality and other malicious forms of animal cruelty are bound up with domestic violence, child exploitation, sexual abuse, drug trafficking and other crimes. It asserts that animal cruelty is not only a serious offence but “a critical indicator of future violence that must be met with tenacious action”.

It is therefore important any animal cruelty is reported to the RSPCA.

We should be grateful for our local RSPCA’s Woodside Animal Centre for their time and expertise in caring for and rehabilitating dogs and other animals that suffer not only physically but suffer mental scars which can take considerable time to heal. Thanks to Woodside these animals are given a second chance of finding a loving home.

Elizabeth Allison, Aylestone