RSPCA reports rise in animal neglect cases in Wiltshire

The animal welfare charity said 532 incidents were reported in the county between January and September this year, compared to 457 in the same period in 2023. This comes as the RSPCA revealed a 25 per cent increase in pet neglect reports across the country. The RSPCA said that between January and September 2024, its emergency cruelty line recorded 48,814 incidents of neglect, up from 38,977 for the same period in 2023.

Read more: Great Western Hospital has longest ambulance wait times This means that an average of 15 neglect incidents were reported every hour. The charity believes the rise in neglect cases is due to an increase in pet ownership during the Covid-19 pandemic and the current financial hardships faced by many. RSPCA superintendent Jo Hirst said: "The large 25.



.. Michael Ribbeck.