A dog named Kelly, a bull breed type, endured a brutal 20-minute assault in Somerset, during which she was repeatedly kicked, stamped on, dragged, and struck with an implement by a man. The harrowing incident was captured on video by a shocked witness who promptly reported the abuse to the RSPCA.
Following the report, the RSPCA successfully traced Kelly’s owner, resulting in the police seizing the dog. Kelly was then taken to the charity’s North Somerset branch, where she has since made a full recovery and is thriving in a new loving home.
In a court hearing held last year, Kelly’s owner pled guilty to the attack and received a 10-year ban on keeping any animals as part of an RSPCA prosecution.
READ MORE: Somerset Veteran Wins £500,000 Lottery Prize After Forgetting Entry
READ MORE: Concerns Grow Over ‘Garden Village’ Proposal Potentially Dividing Taunton by the M5
Kelly’s case highlights a worrying trend revealed in the RSPCA’s latest figures, which show a dramatic 90% increase in reports of animal beatings, with an incident reported approximately every 15 minutes. In the past year, the charity recorded 16,033 such incidents, almost double the 8,459 cases reported in 2021.
While dogs and cats are most frequently the victims of these violent acts, other animals are also affected. Distressingly, the perpetrators are often members of the animals’ own families-the very individuals responsible for their care and protection.
The RSPCA’s “Cruelty Hurts, Love Rescues” campaign coincides with the peak period for cruelty reports during the summer months, seeking to raise awareness and encourage action.
RSPCA Superintendent Jo Hirst expressed deep concern about the rise: “It’s incredibly distressing to see such a massive increase in reports of intentional beatings, with one report coming to our cruelty line every 15 minutes. These cases often involve deliberate and horrific violence, leaving animals with not only physical injuries but also emotional trauma.”
She pointed out that the reasons behind such abuse vary, including behavioural or mental health issues, use of pets in coercive control, or a complete lack of empathy for animals.
Hirst praised the public for their crucial role in combating animal cruelty, both through donations that enable frontline work and by reporting suspected abuse. She added, “The increasing use of CCTV, doorbell cameras, and smartphones is shedding light on these incidents, which are now more frequently caught on camera in public places and even private homes. This increased visibility likely contributes to the rise in reports, as footage is shared on social media or reported to us.”