Cats highlighted in RSPCA summertime cruelty study

Two cats in the West Midlands have been highlighted in an RSPCA report showing the number of animal cruelty cases last summer rose by a third.

The charity received 34,401 cruelty reports between June and August 2024, up from 25,887 in the same period the year before.

Among those to be hurt were Berlioz, a kitten in Warwickshire which suffered multiple fractures to his skull and ribs.

The report also mentions Benito in Walsall, a cat which suffered life-threatening injuries including fractures from a number of attacks.

The charity said the increase was partly due to a rise in pet ownership during the coronavirus pandemic.

It said longer days in the summer also meant more people were out and likely to witness cruelty, contributing to report spikes.

The report said Berlioz was now living with the RSPCA officer who had helped save him and Benito had also been found a new home.

Ian Briggs, chief inspector for the RSPCA, said: "Summer should be a season of joy for animals. Long walks on golden evenings. Zoomies on the beach. Stretching out in the garden to soak up the sun.

"But there's a side to summer you don't see. For thousands of animals, it's a season of pain, fear and suffering, when cruelty peaks."

On average, the RSPCA received 374 reports of animal cruelty every day in June to August 2024.

It received 88,770 reports of cruelty across the whole year in 2023, which rose to 105,250 in 2024 - up 19%.

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs said the government was committed to upholding the highest animal welfare standards.

It said: "All cases of animal cruelty are unacceptable and should be investigated thoroughly. Offenders can face a maximum sentence of five years' imprisonment and an unlimited fine if found guilty."

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