Cases of cruelty against dogs have increased since the pandemic both in Herefordshire and beyond, according to a new report by the RSCPA.

New figures released as part of the animal welfare charity’s Cancel Out Cruelty campaign show that despite being man’s best friend there were 44,427 reports of dog cruelty made to the RSPCA involving 92,244 dogs last year in the UK.

This shows a 16 per cent increase since 2020 when cruelty reports involving 79,513 dogs were made to the charity.

In Herefordshire the total number of dog cruelty reports was 127 with 12 of these relating to intentional harm and 92 concerning neglect.

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With more people becoming dog owners during lockdown the charity is concerned the number of cruelty incidents involving canines will increase - particularly in the summer when it traditionally sees a surge in calls to its cruelty line.

There are now an estimated 13 million dog owners in the UK, according to the Pet Food Manufacturers Report, up from 12.5 million in 2021 and from 9 million in 2020 - with lockdown causing a surge in demand.

The RSCPA has launched its Cancel Out Cruelty campaign which aims to raise funds to keep its rescue teams on the frontline saving animals in desperate need of help.

RSPCA dog welfare expert Dr Samantha Gaines said: "Every year, we see many dogs coming into our care bearing the physical and mental scars that were inflicted at the hands of the very people who were meant to keep them safe and love them unconditionally.

"We are supposed to be a nation of animal lovers and dogs are ‘man’s best friend’ as the saying goes but in reality we receive many cruelty reports every day about dogs who have suffered the most unimaginable cruelty.

"Our officers have dealt with all sorts of horrific incidents including dogs repeatedly beaten, stabbed, burned, drowned, poisoned, some have been left to die from starvation."

Dr Gaines added that the cost of living crisis has added a further dimension with people really struggling to care for their pets which may lead them to lash out or could see more animals than ever being abandoned or given up.

She said: "We need the public's support more than ever to help stop cruelty.

"As a charity, we are bracing to tackle a summer of suffering but we cannot do this without your help and we rely on public support to carry on our rescue, rehabilitation and rehoming work."