The RSPCA has highlighted a concerning rise in reports of animal cruelty in Lincolnshire, revealing 962 cases between January and June 2024. Among these incidents was a distressing case in February where a cat had to be euthanized due to severe injuries sustained from an illegal gin trap in Boston.
According to the charity’s No Animal Deserves Cruelty campaign, these figures reflect a gradual increase in cruelty reports over recent years. In 2023, 952 cases were reported during the same period, compared to 893 in 2022. The RSPCA underscored that the trend is worrisome, with previous summers showing a report of animal cruelty every five minutes.
The cat in Boston suffered “horrific injuries” from a rusted gin trap that clamped around its left back leg. Such traps, prohibited in the UK since 1958, are notorious for their spring-operated jaws that cause significant harm.
The RSPCA attributed the rise in animal abuse reports partly to the ongoing cost of living crisis and the aftermath of the pandemic, describing these factors as contributing to an “animal welfare crisis.”
This report underscores the urgent need for continued vigilance and advocacy to protect animals from harm in the region.
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