An emaciated dog, 11 kittens squeezed into a cat carrier, and 10 tarantulas left in rubbish bags were among the surge of abandoned pets rescued by the RSPCA so far this winter.
Warning: This article contains images of neglected, abused and injured animals
The RSPCA received reports of 1,972 abandoned pets in January – an increase of 34% on the 1,471 during the same month last year, new figures reveal.
There was a similar trend in December – with 1,802 incidents that month – a 17% rise on the 1,540 the previous year.
Peanut the lurcher was found dumped down a country lane in Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, on New Year’s Day by a passerby.
She was so malnourished her bones were visible and she was suffering multiple bed sores.
The three-year-old dog was taken to RSPCA Block Fen Centre in Cambridgeshire, where she is still recovering.
Tiffany Saunders, kennel supervisor, said: “Peanut is still very underweight and has a long way to go but we are pleased with her progress so far and it’s lovely to see her sweet personality shining.”
On 15 January, 11 kittens were found squeezed into a single cat carrier in a park in the East Midlands.
It is believed they were from two litters – ranging in age from nine to 16 weeks.
The six boys and five girls were discovered by a member of the public in Western Park in Leicester and taken for treatment at RSPCA Woodside.
In Lewes, Sussex, just before Christmas, 10 pet tarantulas were discovered inside rubbish bags outside Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare.
One died – and the others were taken to RSPCA Sussex North and Brighton branch’s reptile facility.
They have now recovered and have been rehomed with people who demonstrated expertise in their specialist care.
Among the other dogs found abandoned were four cockapoos – discovered matted and terrified by a passing cyclist in Alrewas, Staffordshire, on 15 January.
They are still recovering from their ordeal.
RSPCA inspector Graeme Brookes: “It was heartbreaking to see the condition of these dogs. One of them was so terrified that she couldn’t walk on a lead.
“I had to carry her to my van, and while she was in my arms, she locked eyes with me and wouldn’t look away. When we arrived at the vet, she wouldn’t leave me.”
Another puppy, a cane Corso, was found with a severe skin condition on her face and front legs – bald and bleeding near the Rochdale Canal in Oldham on 17 January.
She was rescued by a member of the public and taken to Manchester and Cheshire Dog Home where the teams named her Pearla and assessed her to be only 14 to 16 weeks old.
RSPCA Inspector Jess Pierce, who is trying to trace the person responsible, said: “She was in a dreadful state from an untreated skin condition. It was so upsetting to see her suffering like this and left alone when she needed help.”
Dog stabbed three times
A third dog, who was named Comet by her rescuers, was left tied to a lamppost with three knife wounds in Bilston, West Midlands, on 9 December.
RSPCA animal rescue officer Bal Dhamia, who is investigating the incident, said: “It’s heartbreaking to see a dog abandoned and I could see he was exhausted, still bleeding and in pain when I went to help him.”
He is being cared for by Cotswolds Dogs & Cats Home and is looking for a new home.
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Commenting on the alarming rise in abandonments, RSPCA chief inspector Ian Briggs said: “Our rescuers have been busy dealing with all types of neglected and abandoned pets this winter in horrific states of neglect and many are lucky to have survived but thanks to the public reporting incidents to us we have been able to help.
“These include an injured stabbed dog left tied up, Peanut the emaciated dog so thin he was hours away from death, kittens dumped in bins, tarantulas abandoned in a box, rabbits left in freezing temperatures, and a neglected pony left to fend for itself.
“We believe due to the cost of living crisis and the high cost of winter, such as Christmas expenditure and utility bills, more pets have been abandoned – sadly they are often left with no food or water, no one to care for them and no idea if anyone will come to help.”
