RSPCA new figures show 55 reports of summer cruelty in West Sussex

New figures released by the RSPCA show a 64% annual increase in cruelty reports to the charity during the summer period across England and Wales - with 55 reports in West Sussex.

The animal welfare charity has released the startling new statistics today (July 7) as part of its Cruelty Hurts Love Rescues fundraising campaign which coincides with the charity’s biggest time also cruelty reports peak over summer.

In West Sussex a dog called Beau, a Staffy-cross Lurcher was rescued by the RSPCA after he had been found to have been living in a crate for most of his life and was not given enough food but thankfully was rehomed. Picture: RSPCA

placeholder image — In West Sussex a dog called Beau, a Staffy-cross Lurcher was rescued by the RSPCA after he had been found to have been living in a crate for most of his life and was not given enough food but thankfully was rehomed. Picture: RSPCA

In June, July and August last year the RSPCA received 6,322* cruelty calls to their emergency line last year which is one call every 10 minutes when the line is open.

In comparison the charity took 3,852 calls for the same period in 2021 - showing a massive 64% increase in just 5 years.

Since last year, there has also been a startling 22% annual increase in cruelty calls, with 21,117 in 2025 compared to 17,260 in 2024.

And in West Sussex the number of cruelty reports over the summer months last year stood at 55 - a 3.5% decline from 57 the previous year.

In West Sussex a dog called Beau, a Staffy-cross Lurcher was rescued by the RSPCA after he had been found to have been living in a crate for most of his life and was not given enough food. Beau was extremely underweight and had caused serious damage to his own tail. His condition was so poor that he required hospitalisation and his tail had to be amputated. Despite everything he had been through, Beau was rehomed.

RSPCA Superintendent Jo Hirst said: “It’s incredibly alarming that we are seeing year after year of rising reports of cruelty. The summer months are our busiest times of year and our frontline rescue teams, specialist vets, behaviourists, rehabilitation and rehoming teams, will be working tirelessly to help as many animals as possible.

“Today we have launched our Cruelty Hurts, Love Rescues campaign to highlight this shocking trend and the work we are doing to save so many animals from horrific abuse and suffering.”