THE RSPCA is desperately appealing to people in Eastbourne and across Sussex to help combat animal cruelty as the charity has received 1,030 cruelty reports so far this year in Sussex alone.
Alarmingly, the busiest period is yet to come. The new figures were released last month by the RSPCA, and it shows there have already been 44,879 reports of cruelty towards animals so far this year across England and Wales up to the end of June.
This is more than two percent higher than the 43,983 calls received during the same time-frame last year. In East Sussex, there were 557 cases and in West Sussex, there were 473 cases.
The charity stresses that “the worst could be yet to come”. Last year the RSPCA received a report of animal cruelty every five minutes during its busiest summer months and its officers are now braced for another busy period.
Last summer, reports of intentional harm towards animals rose by 11 per cent compared with the previous year, while animal beating reports also rose sharply by 17 per cent.
Eastbourne News published a story in June this year about an Eastbourne man and woman who were disqualified from owning pets and given suspended jail terms after leaving their elderly dog, Bentley, to suffer agonisingly home alone while they went on holiday.
The pet boxer was found in an emaciated state by a RSPCA inspector, after concerned neighbours contacted the charity.
The inspector contacted a vets’ practice but tragically, despite surgeons’ best efforts, Bentley could not be saved.
The man and woman were sentenced on April 22 at Lewes Crown Court.
A full post mortem was carried out and found that Bentley was in “extremely poor body condition”, while his “stomach contained a large amount of rubbish, including numerous food wrappers and a felt pen, which may have been present for some time and was indicative of scavenging due to hunger”.
The veterinary pathologist said: “most likely cause of the emaciation was inadequate access to food, leading to starvation”.
For two centuries, the RSPCA has been rescuing animals from abuse and serving as a “voice for animals”.
The charity has changed more than 400 laws for animals and in 1835, the charity achieved its first landmark success when they campaigned to pass the Cruelty to Animals Act in Parliament, banning the “running, baiting or fighting any bull, bear, badger, dog or other animal.”
To mark the RSPCA’s 200th birthday, it has launched its “No Animal Deserves Cruelty” summer appeal to respond to this seasonal peak in cruelty.
Karen Colman, leader of the RSPCA welfare oversight team, said: “Sadly, animal cruelty reports are on the rise this year, and in the Sussex counties alone, we’ve seen 1,030 animal cruelty reports already this year.
“Reports of international harm towards animals and beatings also rose sharply across the country last summer so we’re preparing for a difficult period ahead.
“But rescuing animals from cruelty, investigating harm caused to them, and acting to prevent animal abuse, is a job no other charity does.
“We’ll always be here to pick up the pieces and show those animals the kindness and care they deserve.”
The RSPCA hopes support from people across Sussex will help make the difference for animals this year.
Karen added: “Summer is a really challenging time for us, and we’re braced for another busy season on the frontline, but we cannot do this alone.
“That’s why our ‘No Animal Deserves Cruelty’ summer appeal seeks to tackle the rising levels of cruelty by raising vital funds to help those animals in desperate need because every animal deserves kindness.”
Buster’s story
A cruelty incident the RSPCA dealt with in the area included that of ten-year-old male Staffie Buster, who was skin and bone when he arrived in the care of RSPCA Brighton and he weighed 50 per cent less than his normal body weight.
Vets ran blood tests which confirmed Buster was malnourished, but after just a few weeks in the care of the team, he gained weight and is now a healthy, happy boy looking for a new home.
Buster now enjoys his walks and his training is coming along well.
RSPCA Brighton manager Jenny Eden said: “Poor Buster was in a sorry state when he came to us; he had not been fed properly and his condition had suffered hugely because of this.
“It took a lot of vet care and ongoing treatment to get Buster back to full health, but thankfully he’s now thriving. Buster is looking for an adult only, experienced home and will need his own garden.”
To support the RSPCA’s No Animal Deserves Cruelty summer appeal, visit: https://www.rspca.org.uk/summercruelty
Buster is also looking for a forever home. If you would like to meet Buster, head to: https://rspca-brighton.org.uk/project/buster/
