RSPCA in 'cancel out cruelty' plea as animal attacks surge

A SURGE in cases of intentional animal cruelty across Greater Manchester is revealed today by latest statistics published by the RSPCA

- PAUL BRITTON

The charity say the figures show 'an alarming increase in intentional cruelty against animals' - there were 605 reports in Greater Manchester last year, an increase of nine per cent compared to the 553 made in 2021.

Overall, the number of reports made nationally to the charity's cruelty line about intentional harm to animals - including beatings, mutilations such as ear cropping, poisonings and even killings - has increased by 14pc.

There were a heartbreaking total of 12,582 reported cases nationally last year, compared to 11,012 reports in 2021.

The figures can be revealed as the RSPCA reveals distressing details of another shocking case - a cat found dead inside a zip-up carrier in a canal. The black and white female Oriental-type cat was found along a stretch of the Ashton Canal in Manchester on May 8. It isn't known whether she was already dead or drowned, but the case is being treated as suspicious.