Cruelty to dogs in North Yorkshire rises, RSPCA finds

Last year the animal welfare charity received 1,173 reports about cruelty to dogs in the county, up 95 from 2022.

Chris Sherwood, chief executive of the RSPCA, said it is “heartbreaking” that more dogs need the charity’s help.

“We need to make a stand against this and say ‘no more’,” he said. “Dogs are supposed to be man’s best friend, yet more and more dogs are being subjected to cruelty every year. Dogs are the most popular pet in the UK yet also the ones who potentially suffer the most.”

Nationally, last year the RSPCA received 52,662 reports about cruelty to dogs (around 144 a day), compared to 48,567 in 2022 – an increase of eight per cent in one year. 

The charity received 42,613 reports on cruelty to dogs in 2020, marking a 23 per cent increase in just four years. In 2021, the number of reports was 44,479, meaning the figures have been rising year-on-year.

Chihuahua Dolly was rescued by the RSPCA in Yorkshire after being subjected to cruelty – and is now living a happy life with a new owner after her rehabilitation at the York, Harrogate and district RSPCA branch.

Dolly when she was rescued by the RSPCA (Image: RSPCA)

The alarm was raised by a vet who contacted the RSPCA after Dolly and her previous owner visited.

Dolly had multiple injuries which the owner claimed were accidental, an RSPCA spokesperson said, but the vet was sceptical.

X-rays revealed that Dolly had a broken rib, a fracture to her third vertebrae indicative of a tail pull injury and a dislocated tail.

They also showed skull injuries and that her dew claws had been ripped out.

Dolly after being cared for by the RSPCA (Image: RSPCA)

Her owner pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to Dolly and was banned from keeping animals for life, the RSPCA spokesperson said.

Dolly now has a new life with Lucy Green, who also works as an RSPCA inspector.

“She was initially quite timid but settled in quickly and enjoyed attention,” Lucy said. “Dolly would often get up and follow me as I left a room

“At first she was very nervous about certain things such as any loud noises or sudden movements.”

'Heartbreaking to think of what Dolly suffered,' says inspector for case

Former RSPCA inspector Alice Cooper, who investigated the case, said: “It was heartbreaking to think of what Dolly had suffered, and I was determined to get justice for Dolly and hopefully prevent any other animals from suffering at the hands of her owner. 

Dolly after being cared for by the RSPCA (Image: RSPCA)

“Dolly had every reason to be terrified and withdrawn around humans, considering what she had been through, and yet she just wanted love and attention.”

The RSPCA has launched its No Animal Deserves Cruelty summer appeal, aiming to reduce cruelty towards animals.

“We would love to see, next year, cruelty going down,” said the charity's chief executive. “We know we can’t do this alone – so our purpose is for everyone to work together to create a kinder world for animals.”