Three dogs have been callously abandoned in a carboard box in a car park near an English Heritage site. A member of the public came across the trio near Avebury stones on Sunday, August 14 at around 8am before taking them to a vet - who in turn contacted the RSPCA.
The dogs, two older female chihuahuas named Babe and Tinkerbell, according to their microchips, and a younger male who has been named Ferdinand by the team caring for him. All three were in poor condition and in need of urgent care and attention. Babe also had a severe open wound on her back right leg and had to have emergency surgery to remove the limb.
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RSPCA inspector Sharon Chrisp, who is investigating for the animal welfare charity, said: "These three dogs were dumped like rubbish and left out in the open during the record temperatures of the recent heatwave.
"We understand that pet owners may be going through a difficult time at the moment with the cost of living crisis putting a strain on people's finances, and, according to our Animal Kindness Index, two thirds of owners finding it more expensive to look after their pet compared to last year.
"But there is never an excuse to abandon an animal like this. Leaving them out in a heatwave is just cruel. These poor dogs must have been terrified to have been dumped, especially Babe who will have been in pain from her untreated injury."
This comes as the RSPCA sees a rise of animal cruelty over the summer months with 245 reports of cruelty every day. And with 21 reports of animal beatings a day - nearly one beating every hour - the charity is braced for a summer of suffering.
"With the increase in pet ownership and the cost of living crisis putting a strain on people's finances, we fear we may see more animals being cruelly abandoned, highlighting the importance of our work to cancel out cruelty."
The dogs have microchips and Inspector Sharon Chrisp has been following up a number of leads but has so far been unable to trace their owner and is now keen to speak to anyone who may have information as to who owned them.
She added: "Thankfully they are now in RSPCA care and we will do all we can to help them recover and give them a chance of a life that they so deserve. I'm keen to speak to anyone who may recognise these dogs or may know who owned them. Anyone with information can contact me on the RSPCA appeal line on 0300 123 8018."
The charity receives around 90,000 calls to its cruelty line every month and investigates 6,000 reports of deliberate animal cruelty, including animal fighting and hunting. But in the summer* calls rise to 134,000 a month - three every minute and reports of cruelty soar to 7,600 each month - a heartbreaking 245 every day.
The charity has launched its Cancel Out Cruelty campaign, to raise funds to help its rescue teams out on the frontline continue to save animals from cruelty and abuse and to raise awareness about how to stop cruelty to animals for good.
Overall, the number of reports made to the charity's cruelty line about animals being inflicted with intentional harm - including beatings, mutilations such as ear cropping, poisonings and even killings, has increased by 7.9 per cent from summer 2020 to summer 2021 with more than 2,300 reports in June and July alone.
The RSPCA's rescue teams need support to stay out on the frontline as the only charity rescuing animals and investigating cruelty.
£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
RSPCA frontline teams are working hard to rescue animals in need this summer but they can't do it alone - they need your help to Cancel Out Cruelty. To help support the RSPCA, visit: www.rspca.org.uk/stopcruelty
If you cannot donate, there are other ways you can help Cancel Out Cruelty, from volunteering with the RSPCA, holding a bake sale or fundraiser, or taking part in the #50MilesForAnimals challenge.
Do you have a dog story to share? Email paige.freshwater@reachplc.com.
