Slump is fuelling a surge in pet cruelty

SCOTLAND’S leading animal charity yesterday revealed a dramatic rise in calls to deal with cruelty cases over the past six months.

ANIMAL LOVER First Minister Alex Salmond ANIMAL LOVER: First Minister Alex Salmond

Inspectors from the Scottish SPCA have responded to 20 per cent more alerts compared to the same period last year, with the credit crunch a possible factor in the increase.

In recent months, police and animal rescue organisations have reported significant increases in the number of pets being dumped or mistreated as their owners struggled financially.

And during the first six months of this year, the Scottish SPCA handled nearly 70,000 calls, a fifth more than in the same period in 2008. The figures were made public as First Minister Alex Salmond opened a new purpose-built animal helpline centre in Dunfermline, Fife.

Mike Flynn, of the Scottish SP-CA, said its animal rescue and re-homing centres will care for far more than the 12,545 animals rescued in 2008.

Mr Salmond said that the Scottish courts were on course to deal with a record number of cruelty and neglect cases. He added: “It’s often said we are a nation of animal lovers, but these new figures show that too many animals suffer neglect or abuse at the hands of humans.”

Mr Flynn said: “While we always urge the public to call our helpline if an animal is in distress or if they have information about cruelty to animals, this increase is nevertheless staggering and represents a huge strain on our resources.”

Earlier this year the charity was involved in a bitter cash row with the England-based RSPCA over donations from Scots which did not go towards care for animals in need north of the border.

The Scottish SPCA said public awareness of the issue had risen significantly since then.

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