Animal cruelty and suffering continues during Coronavirus lockdown

Saving animals lives continues through lockdown Credit: RSPCA

The RSPCA has made an emergency appeal for funds as it continues to deal with more than 21,000 animal incidents since the start of the coronavirus lockdown

The figures make grim reading, with West Yorkshire topping the league of incidents with 1,016 while RSPCA rescuers dealt with 477 incidents in North Yorkshire, 579 in South Yorkshire, 382 in Lincolnshire and 261 in East Yorkshire.

The charity is now looking after 4,200 animals nationally during lockdown with its teams still out on the road and continuing to rescue animals most in need.

Animal rescuers at the charity have been designated key workers by the Government but vital funding is needed to help the frontline staff continue this crucial work .

Incidents of animal cruelty include a swan left to suffer after a dog attack on the River Rother at Sheffield. The swan, one of a mating pair and sat on a nest, was found with blood running from puncture wounds. She was cleaned up and given antibiotics before being released back on the water.

Injured foxes, wild baby rabbits – and 10 baby ducklings found without their mother and about to become easy prey for cats in Bridlington – have all been saved by the RSPCA locally.

Even the rescue of a hedgehog stuck in a drain in Rotherham took precious time and money.

Dermot Murphy, Chief Inspectorate Officer, said despite the lockdown, there are still thousands of animals which need the charity’s help.

As designated key workers, our frontline rescuers are still out and about rescuing animals in urgent need of care. The Coronavirus crisis hasn’t put a stop to animal suffering and these figures show there are still many animals out there that need rescuing.

However, our resources are under huge strain and vital funding is needed to keep our rescue teams out on the road.

As well as operating an emergency service, rescuing animals in need, RSPCA officers have also been collecting animals from the homes of people who have been admitted to hospital with Covid-19, who may not have anyone else to care for them while their owners are being treated.

Pet owners are being urged to make an emergency pet-care plan should they be admitted to hospital with Coronavirus, including placing a poster in the window informing people that there are pets inside.

To help the RSPCA keep rescuing animals like these and keep our animal hospitals and centres running for emergency treatment and round the clock care through these unprecedented times, please donate whatever you can spare at www.rspca.org.uk/covid

And there’s help and advice for those worried about caring for their pets during lockdown on the RSPCA website https://www.rspca.org.uk/coronavirus