RSPCA reveals extent of ‘brutal’ knife attacks on animals

The RSPCA has revealed the extent of “brutal” attacks and deliberate cruelty towards animals, many of whom have been slashed and stabbed in “shocking attacks”, as part of its Cancel Out Cruelty campaign. 

The animal charity said it receives 130 reports of knife attacks on animals each year on average, more than two every week.

The RSPCA has recorded 1,306 incidents relating to knives over the last 10 years with 149 in Greater London followed by Greater Manchester with 61.

The charity said it has seen dogs with their throats slashed, stab wounds to the chest and one even thrown in a bin after a “callous” attack. Other pets and wildlife are also targeted.

A survey of the RSPCA frontline officers also found that 73% of them thought a leading cause of cruelty was that people do not understand that animals are sentient beings with thoughts and feelings.

Frontline rescuer Herchy Boal, said: “We are also seeing far too many shocking incidents of blades being used on animals and the injuries are horrific.

“Our inspectors and animal rescuers are on the frontline of animal welfare and come face to face with cruelty and neglect on a daily basis however these deliberate and horrific attacks on defenceless animals are heartbreaking.”

She added: “Even during the coronavirus pandemic we received more than one million calls over the year and the cruelty didn’t stop.

“It’s vitally important that we teach the next generation to be kinder to animals, to explain they have feelings and emotions like us. We can build a kinder society for animals and people. Together we can Cancel Out Cruelty.”