Rise in neglected animals being abandoned - RSPCA

The “shocking” number of animals being dumped in a “neglectful state” in the East of England during the winter months has been revealed by the RSPCA.

In the past three years, the amount of animals abandoned in England and Wales increased by 51%, according to the animal welfare charity.

The new figures, released as part of its Join The Christmas Rescue campaign, show Essex had 582 cases in 2023 compared to 414 in 2021 - up 41%.

There was also an increase of 44% in Bedfordshire, with incidents rising from 142 to 205. RSPCA bosses said: “Too many animals are suffering behind closed doors.”

Reports of animals being abandoned also increased elsewhere in the East of England, with Northamptonshire recording a 22% rise and Buckinghamshire 14%.

Hertfordshire saw cases go up by 12%, Cambridgeshire 7% and Suffolk 15%, while Norfolk experienced a 1% rise in animal abandonments.

Across England and Wales, a total of 20,999 reports were made to the RSPCA’s emergency line in 2023, while 19,067 have already been reported this year.

One of these animals was Dogue de Bordeaux Roxy, who was found “painfully skinny” huddled under a hedge in a garden in Boxted, having been abandoned in April.

The three-year-old was rescued by residents who took her to a vet before they contacted the RSPCA due to her neglectful state.

She weighed just 29kg (64lb), while a healthy female dog of the same breed should weigh up to 54kg (120lb) more than that. She has since been rehomed.

RSPCA inspector Nicky Thorne, who launched an investigation, said: “You could see all of her bones and every single rib. She was just skin and bone.”

The RSPCA also feel fears the crisis could worsen during the winter months as more people struggle with the increase in expenditure around Christmas time.

RSPCA chief inspector Ian Briggs said: “We are seeing a shocking rise in the number of calls reporting pet abandonment to our emergency line during winter.

“Sadly, we expect the trend will continue as more pet owners face financial hardship at this time of year more than any other."

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