'Shocking' rise in owners dumping pets, says charity

THE RSPCA has revealed a sad surge in the number of animals abandoned in Greater Manchester.

- By PAUL BRITTON

The charity also revealed two poorly puppies found dumped in a plastic bag on a street in Wythenshawe were 'discarded like rubbish'.

Greater Manchester has seen a 33 per cent increase in animal abandonment since the cost of living crisis began, the RSPCA said. And shocking figures show the number of animals abandoned in England and Wales during the winter period has increased by a massive 5pc in just three years.

The charity has released the new statistics to highlight the battle frontline rescuers face ahead of what is expected to be another bleak winter for thousands of animals as part of its Join The Christmas Rescue campaign.

In Greater Manchester, the latest figures show the number of abandonment reports to the RSPCA for 2023 was 1,250 - up from 942 in 2021 when the cost of living crisis began - an increase of a third.