Sharp rise in cases of animal cruelty
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Reports of animal cruelty have risen dramatically in the past decade to 1.5m a year, while the number of convictions has declined to fewer than 2,500.
In 2001, inspectors responded to 1.5m phone calls about animals in distress – one every 20 seconds – and a rise of more than 350,000 since 1991. The number of complaints investigated has gone up from 86,531 a year in 1991 to 123,156.
But despite the increases, the number of convictions dropped to 2,449 last year, compared to 2,718 successful prosecutions in 1991. Judges handed out six prison sentences for cruelty. In 80 cases, owners were banned for life from keeping any animals.
Tony Crittenden, the RSPCA's chief officer of the inspectorate, said of the figures: "We are supposed to be a nation of animal lovers and yet our inspectors come across some of the most distressing cases of neglect and suffering day in day out."
The RSPCA has proposed an animal "bill of rights", that would include a statutory "duty of care". Based on the "five freedoms" set out for farm animals in the 1960s, pets such as cats and dogs would be legally entitled to food and water, shelter and access to a vet. Owners would be required to provide them with the opportunity to "express normal behaviour" and freedom from "fear and distress".
Ministers are considering legislation that would guarantee pets a minimum quality of life.