Cruelty to dogs in Merseyside increased by 10% in 2022

THEY may be man's best friend, but, sadly cruelty towards dogs increased by 10% in Merseyside last year, new figures released by the RSPCA show. In 2022, there were 1,534 reports made to the RSPCA in the area about cruelty to dogs, compared with:- 1,399 in 2021. This means in 2022, 4 dogs a day on average were cruelly treated in Merseyside.

The heartbreaking figures include reports made about intentional harm, neglect and abandonments.

The type of incidents which come under intentional harm are:- attempted killing, poisoning, beating, improper killing, mutilation and suspicious circumstances. Shockingly, there were 321 reports of intentional harm to dogs in Merseyside.

Nationally, the number of reports made to the RSPCA about dogs; including:- intentional harm, neglect and abandonments - in 2022 was 42,690, a 7% increase from 2021 (39,797).

In summer months cases of cruelty rise and the charity is braced for its busiest time of the year.

The charity has released the heartbreaking figures as part of its Cancel Out Cruelty campaign, in a bid to raise funds to help its frontline rescue teams continue to save animals from cruelty and abuse.

Brett Witchalls, chief inspector for Merseyside, said:- "For hundreds of years dogs have been known as man's best friend - and if you share your home with one, you will know why, as they are such loyal and loving companions. But these awful statistics tell a different story. Dogs are the most abused animal in this country and we investigate more complaints about them than any other type of animal. Everyone who cares about animals will be sickened to know how many reports we receive about dogs being kicked, beaten, burned or worse. We need the public's help to Cancel Out Cruelty. Their donations, no matter how small, help keep our frontline officers out on the road rescuing animals and investigating these terrible reports."

The figures released by the RSPCA also shows:-

• In 2022 the charity saw a 22% increase in reports of beatings (9,658 in 2022, compared to 7,857 in 2021)
   

• The number of beatings reported to the RSPCA in 2022 peaked in August, when 1,081 reports were received; a staggering 35 a day.
   

• The number of animals killed in:- 'suspicious circumstances' increased in 2022 by 15% from by 2021 (891 in 2022, compared to 775 in 2021)
   

• 77% of all cruelty complaints reported to the charity 2022 were beatings.
   

• 'Animal cruelty happening on a massive scale'

Dermot Murphy, RSPCA inspectorate commissioner, said:- "Right now, animal cruelty is happening in England and Wales on a massive scale and rising. It is heartbreaking that we are seeing such sad figures which show animal cruelty is, very sadly, on the rise. While we don't know for certain why there has been an increase, the cost of living crisis and the post-Pandemic world we live in has created an animal welfare crisis. Each year, these reports reach its terrible annual peak in the summer months; when an animal is beaten on average every hour of every day. The cost of living crisis also means the cost of rescuing animals is at an all time high and our vital services are stretched to the limit."

As the only charity in England and Wales investigating cruelty and rescuing animals, the RSPCA needs support to stay out on the frontline:-

• £2 could help to provide a meal for a cat or dog in our care.
   

• £6 could help pay to feed a dog for a day in our care.
   

• £10 could help pay towards bandages for a cat or dog.
   

• £15 could help pay for a cat or dog's clinical exam.
   

• £20 could help pay towards a bird catching kit.
   

• £30 could help pay for a life jacket for an inspector.
   

• £100 could help pay towards water rescue equipment.
   

• £500 could kit out a 4x4 inspector van.

The RSPCA's frontline teams are working hard to rescue animals in need this summer but we can't do it alone - we need your help to Cancel Out Cruelty. To help support the RSPCA, visit:- RSPCA.Org.UK/Cruelty.

Government suicide prevention fund for charity sector to be boosted

TENS of thousands of people experiencing suicidal thoughts or approaching a mental health crisis will receive vital support, as the Government relaunches a £10 million fund so charities can work with the NHS to provide life saving suicide prevention services.

Charities in communities across England can now apply for the latest round of funding from the Suicide Prevention Grant Fund which will ensure as many people as possible can access the support and prevention services they need, when they need it. Funding will also help prevent people reaching crisis point and reduce future demand for these services across both the charity sector and the NHS.

A previous fund of £5.4 million in 2021-22 supported over 100 organisations within the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector. The results of the fund were overwhelmingly positive, with virtually every single successful bidder saying it helped meet increased demand after the Pandemic, improved access to services for people in need, and helped identify those experiencing suicidal thoughts quicker.

Previous grant recipients included:-

• James' Place Charity which used £283,968 to provide innovative and free suicide prevention therapy to men over the age of 18 in Merseyside and London
   

• The Caribbean and African Health Network in Manchester which was awarded £41,599 for work to tackle taboos around suicide in Black communities
   

• Papyrus which was awarded £151,815 to provide confidential support and advice specifically to young people and anyone worried about a young person through their HOPELINE247
   

• The funding comes alongside a projected £13.6 billion investment by the NHS this year to continue to provide, expand and transform mental health services in England including:- NHS talking therapies, children and young people's mental health services and eating disorder services.

Health and Social Care Secretary Steve Barclay said:- "Too many lives are sadly lost to suicide and my sympathy goes out to those affected by its truly devastating impacts. We're already urgently investing record sums of money to transform and expand NHS mental health services, but the voluntary suicide prevention sector is such an important part of the support on offer and this multi million pound fund recognises the work it carries out alongside the NHS. I encourage charities to apply for this funding so they can continue to save lives, tackle taboos, and make a real difference to so many people."

PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide chief executive Ged Flynn said:- "Funding is vital if we are to continue giving hope to children and young people who are struggling with life, and we welcome the Government's contribution which will go some way to help. The services we offer are underpinned by voluntary income; kind donations, fundraising and public support. That generosity funds our confidential HOPELINE247 service which allows our professional suicide prevention advisers to keep young people safe. We also rely on voluntary income to help us engage with local communities on suicide prevention initiatives across the UK, offer training to groups and individual and support a network of volunteers who have lived experience of suicide."

Suicide is sadly the biggest cause of death in both men and women under the age of 35, in the UK, and there has been a noticeable increase in the last decade in the number of tragic suicides among women under the age of 25.

NHS crisis lines receive 200,000 calls per month and the Samaritans report receiving over 10,000 calls per day on average.

This latest round of Government funding, however, could be used by the VCSE sector to boost capacity in crisis helplines; both for those struggling and for those who are concerned about a loved 1; provide signposting to services, launch campaigns targeted at specific at risk groups like young men, and also support families who have experienced the tragedy of losing a loved 1 by suicide.

Minister for Mental Health Maria Caulfield said:- "Every single suicide is a tragedy; 1 which still affects too many people in England. Heartbreakingly, it is still the biggest killer of men under 35. But we're taking action. This £10 million fund for the voluntary and charity sector will help people nationwide receive crucial mental health support and builds on the success of previous funds, which supported tens of thousands of people approaching a crisis. We're already investing £57 million into suicide prevention schemes through the NHS Long Term Plan, and all local areas now have suicide prevention plans to address the specific needs of their populations."

While this funding will help fund a range of preventative and innovative activity up and down the country, the Government is committed to doing all it can to prevent deaths by suicide. Later this year, it will publish a new National Suicide Prevention Strategy that will set out further actions and commitments to deliver this.

Professor Sir Louis Appleby National Advisor on the Suicide Prevention Strategy said:- "Charities play a critical role in preventing suicide and today's launch of the grant fund will support their vital work. Given the pressures facing the sector, I hope all eligible organisations will consider bidding for funding."

The Government is investing at least £2.3 billion of additional funding a year by March 2024 to expand and transform NHS mental health services, so an extra 2 million people can get the mental health support they need.

Over £400 million is also going into improving mental health facilities, including by giving patients the privacy of their own bedroom and eradicating shared dorms.

The mental health workforce is also growing. In December 2022, we saw almost 9,000 more mental health staff working than the previous year. The NHS Long Term Workforce plan sets out ambitions to grow the mental health workforce further.  

Professor Subodh Dave, Dean of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, said:- "We welcome this funding for suicide prevention. We strongly back the roll out of evidence-based programmes to support those at risk of suicide, most of whom are not in contact with mental health services."