Charity says education is key

The Scottish SPCA has revealed staff responded to nearly 11,000 incidents as a result of calls to their animal helpline in the Angus, Dundee and Fife areas last year.

Chief Superintendent Mike Flynn said: “While Scotland is a nation of animals lovers, unfortunately there are some who still abuse and neglect animals.”

The charity has hailed its groundbreaking education programme as the way forward.

He said the charity was encouraged by the continued success of its Prevention through Education programme for primary schools, which reached more than 38,100 children in Courier Country.

“Our inspectors and animal rescue officers also go above and beyond in communities throughout the country, working with members of the public, giving advice, providing support and offering assistance where possible,” he said.

Scotland’s animal welfare charity cared for more than 860 animals at their Angus centre.

Dundee centre manager Elliot Hay said while new homes were found for more than 600 animals there was always more to do to raise awareness.

He said: “Many of the animals were rescued from lives of abuse or neglect and some were even discarded like rubbish when their owners decided they no longer wanted to look after them.”