CRUELTY against animals in Hampshire has increased, with people committing offences in “disturbingly inventive ways”, a charity has revealed.

Figures released by the RSPCA today show the county is in the top 10 worst for complaints, which in 2014 saw 4,713 – an increase from 2013 (4,586).

Incidents included a man swallowing a live frog and lizard as part of an online game called Neknomination, a man dangling a cat from its tail whilst being filmed on a mobile phone and a missing cat found tied to a fence by its neck (pictured below). 

Hampshire Chronicle:

Hampshire is the ninth worst county in the UK.

RSPCA superintendent for the south west, John Grant, said the list is not something anyone would want to feature in.

“It is extremely concerning that we are still receiving so many complaints about animals being deliberately caused to suffer,” he said.

“Most of the complaints we receive involve animals being neglected or not receiving the right care and often we can put that right by offering welfare advice. However, it is shocking that in 2014 people are still being deliberately cruel in what can be disturbingly inventive ways.”

Beating, improper killing, mutilation and poisoning made up 12.5 per cent of the total 28,800 complaints in 2014 to the RSPCA across south west and central England.

A shocking 3,594 involved alleged deliberate and often violent cruelty being inflicted upon animals.

The charity said that in 2014 the animals most likely to fall victim to alleged deliberate cruelty were dogs with 21,084 complaints and 16,089 reported as beaten, followed by 5,194 complaints for cats, and 3,653 for rabbits and small animals.

The RSPCA said it has increased the welfare advice given to animal owners across the UK from 76,810 in 2013 to 82,746 in 2014.

Cases which were resolved by prosecution in south west and central England decreased from 192 in 2013 to 105 last year.

James Yeates, the RSPCA chief veterinary officer, said it is positive that a greater number people are following inspectors’ advice.

“Crucially this means that although we are still receiving complaints about cruelty we are often getting to incidents before suffering has occurred and helping owners to provide for their animals, whether that means getting veterinary care for them or just giving them the right diet,” he said.

“Sadly, though, where cruelty is still happening there will be a need to prosecute in the most serious cases and it is upsetting that so many people are still mistreating animals by deliberately causing them harm or by not providing them with the care they deserve.”

Hampshire Chronicle:

Pictured above: Two of the dumped dogs recovering at an RSPCA rescue centre earlier this year

Earlier this year the RSPCA worked with vets across Winchester district after nine dogs were cruelly dumped in Upham, Owslebury, Alresford and Winchester’s Morestead Road with severely matted fur. The animals were unable to see or stand and inspectors said they thought they had been subjected to a lifetime of cruelty.

The charity rehabilitated the animals, and some have been rehomed. Others are still being cared for at RSPCA centres.

For the RSPCA the south west and central England includes Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Avon & Somerset, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Berkshire, Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire.