This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/apr/24/rspca-crisis-animal-welfare
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| RSPCA warns of crisis in animal welfare | RSPCA warns of crisis in animal welfare |
| (4 months later) | |
| The RSPCA is warning of a crisis in animal welfare that is stretching its resources to breaking point, as the number of cruelty and neglect convictions has risen by almost a quarter in the past year. | The RSPCA is warning of a crisis in animal welfare that is stretching its resources to breaking point, as the number of cruelty and neglect convictions has risen by almost a quarter in the past year. |
| The charity says the number of phone calls it received rose to more than 1.3m last year – a 13% increase on 2010. In total, 3,036 people were reported to the prosecutions department, a rise of 9.3% on 2010 figures. | The charity says the number of phone calls it received rose to more than 1.3m last year – a 13% increase on 2010. In total, 3,036 people were reported to the prosecutions department, a rise of 9.3% on 2010 figures. |
| There has also been a 23.5% increase in the number of people convicted for cruelty and neglect – 1,341 people in 2011 – and a 22% rise in the number of cruelty cases involving dogs – 2,105 cases last year. | There has also been a 23.5% increase in the number of people convicted for cruelty and neglect – 1,341 people in 2011 – and a 22% rise in the number of cruelty cases involving dogs – 2,105 cases last year. |
| Gavin Grant, chief executive of the RSPCA, said the charity was being stretched to "breaking point". | Gavin Grant, chief executive of the RSPCA, said the charity was being stretched to "breaking point". |
| "We show zero tolerance to animal abusers. Anyone causing animals pain for profit or pleasure will be tracked down and prosecuted. We need the courts, councils, police and people who care to join us in standing up and getting justice for Britain's abused animals," he said. | "We show zero tolerance to animal abusers. Anyone causing animals pain for profit or pleasure will be tracked down and prosecuted. We need the courts, councils, police and people who care to join us in standing up and getting justice for Britain's abused animals," he said. |
| He told some incredible stories of animal survival in the face of cruelty, including a lurcher dog repeatedly stabbed with a potato peeler who had her back broken. Despite being dumped and left to die, she lived. In another case, a dog was found to have survived in a house where five animals died an agonising death from starvation. Another incident involved a blind kitten discovered in a carrier bag. | He told some incredible stories of animal survival in the face of cruelty, including a lurcher dog repeatedly stabbed with a potato peeler who had her back broken. Despite being dumped and left to die, she lived. In another case, a dog was found to have survived in a house where five animals died an agonising death from starvation. Another incident involved a blind kitten discovered in a carrier bag. |
| Cruelty is not confined to domestic animals. Cases involving farm animals increased and there were 230 convictions as a result of cruelty to horses. | Cruelty is not confined to domestic animals. Cases involving farm animals increased and there were 230 convictions as a result of cruelty to horses. |
| The dog stabbed with a potato peeler, Maggie May, enjoys a fantastic new life in a lovely home, according to Grant. He said Beethoven, the dog left to die with another dog, two cats and two other small animals, has also been rehoused. | The dog stabbed with a potato peeler, Maggie May, enjoys a fantastic new life in a lovely home, according to Grant. He said Beethoven, the dog left to die with another dog, two cats and two other small animals, has also been rehoused. |
| The RSPCA says it costs more than £124m a year to provide its service annually. A Facebook app is being launched at the weekend ahead of RSPCA week. | The RSPCA says it costs more than £124m a year to provide its service annually. A Facebook app is being launched at the weekend ahead of RSPCA week. |
| Sally Case, head of society prosecutions at the RSPCA, said the charity tries to keep animals with their owners wherever possible and "offers advice on improving their welfare". | Sally Case, head of society prosecutions at the RSPCA, said the charity tries to keep animals with their owners wherever possible and "offers advice on improving their welfare". |
| She said: "Overwhelmingly, this advice is followed, but where it isn't, or where someone has already harmed an animal there has to be a way of ensuring that animals are not left to suffer." Although the RSPCA is the charity people turn to, it is "struggling to continue providing this service". | She said: "Overwhelmingly, this advice is followed, but where it isn't, or where someone has already harmed an animal there has to be a way of ensuring that animals are not left to suffer." Although the RSPCA is the charity people turn to, it is "struggling to continue providing this service". |
| Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. | Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. |