The RSPCA investigated 27,019 animal cruelty cases in the South West last year - a rise of more than 5% compared to the previous 12 months.
These include the case of Max - an eight-year-old West Highland terrier (pictured) who was left to suffer for more than a year with a tumour so bad it was described as ‘like something out of a horror film’ by an RSPCA inspector.
His owner, from Wiltshire, was disqualified from keeping animals for five years, and Max is now thriving in his loving new home.
The animal welfare charity’s annual figures released today (Wednesday 29...
RSPCA inspectors are investigating after a dog was found dumped with a severely infected ear in Exeter.
The dog warden collected Trixie, who is thought to be a Staffie Sharpei cross, who was left tied up outside the One Stop Shop on Topsham Road. They contacted the RSPCA after she was found to be suffering from a skin condition and a really bad ear infection on September 4.
Trixie is now being treated at an RSPCA centre for her infection and investigations are underway into what happened to her. It is hoped she will make a full recovery and eventually be rehomed.
More than 2,000 children were among those reported to police for indecent images offences over the last 3 years, according to recent figures.
As a result, the RSPCA is urging parents to talk to children about the risks of sexting and sharing nude selfies on social media as this may be partly fuelling the rise in offences by under-18s.
Earlier this year, the charity carried out research by conducting interviews with 32 parents and carers . This was followed by an online survey of 1000 parents and carers from across the UK.
As the start date for the controversial badger cull is officially confirmed the RSPCA has renewed calls for the scheme to be halted as scientific evidence shows it will not help to stop the spread of bovine TB.
Three counties, Somerset, west Gloucestershire and north Dorset were subject to culls in 2015 and it has been officially announced today (Monday 30 August) Defra will be licensing seven new areas.
Two areas in Cornwall including the northern area, north and south Devon, south Herefordshire, Gloucester in the north Cotswolds and west Dorset have been added to the list...
The RSPCA has urged pet owners and farmers to keep their animals cool in the summer heat as temperatures rocket to 30C in some parts of England and Wales this week.
The animal welfare charity is issuing advice after a surge in calls relating to animals and heat exposure last month. The charity’s 24-hour emergency line received 1,606 calls in July - that’s two every hour or more than 50 a day - from concerned members of the public reporting dogs shut in hot vehicles, farm animals out in the heat, and horses without shade.
There have been more than 5,700 calls so far this...
The RSPCA is alarmed that despite three years of failed culls the UK Government is now forging ahead with plans to kill badgers in six different areas.
Three counties, Somerset, Gloucestershire and Dorset were subject to culls in 2015 and now it has been announced Defra will be licensing new areas in north Cornwall, north and south Devon, south Herefordshire and west Dorset despite strong public opposition to the scheme.
The RSPCA is once again renewing calls for the culls to be stopped and instead a more proactive approach with a focus on cattle husbandry through improved...
Doggies and dog lovers, are you ready to forget the everyday walk? Walkies just got BIGGER, and you’re invited! Join us at BIG Walkies 2016 to sniff out more trees, have more fun, and find more reasons to slobber.
On your BIG day, choose your walkies distance, have a fun filled day and help provide a better life for animals in need.
Every year the RSPCA is called out to rescue hundreds of animals across England and Wales after their owners abandon them and in many cases leave them for dead.
In 2015 2,751 animals were rescued by the animal welfare charity with a peak in admissions in July, 534 of those were in Devon.
Now the RSPCA is bracing itself for another summertime influx of dumped animals this year too.
It is thought one contributing factor of people dumping their animals in the summer months is down to some owners heading off on holiday and not finding anyone to look after their pet...
Twelve organisations have teamed up to spread an important message among dog owners this summer.
Rescue and rehoming charities, veterinary associations, police, and welfare organisations are all working together to ensure owners know the dangers the warm weather can pose to dogs over the summer months.
The RSPCA receives thousands of reports of dogs suffering from heat exposure every year - that equates to one call every hour.
Already this summer the RSPCA have been called to three dogs which tragically died in a hot car.
