RSPCA bracing for "crisis" as it reveals 259 animals were dumped in Dorset last summer

The RSPCA is expecting a rise in calls about pets often found dumped at the side of roads during the summer months.

Last year, 259 abandoned pets were found in Dorset over June, July and August. Most of the animals were found in June, when the charity recorded 118 dumped animals.

Nationally, the RSPCA received a total of 23,673 calls about abandoned animals, equating to one every six minutes. The charity said this was an 85 per cent increase in the number of reports about dumped animals in colder months.

Dermot Murphy, RSPCA’S chief inspectorate officer, said: "Sadly, we see a dramatic increase in the number of animals abandoned in the summer. From unwanted newborn kittens and puppies dumped in boxes and bins, exotic pets cast aside or horses abandoned in someone else’s field, dumped like rubbish.

"There is never an excuse to abandon an animal in this way and we would urge anyone who is struggling to cope with their pets to contact us or other charities for help. Our pets are sentient beings and great companions who rely on us for their health and happiness so dumping them like an old mobile phone or a piece of rubbish should never be the answer."

Mr Murphy said the peak in animals being abandoned in the summer puts a "massive strain" on RSPCA inspectors, animal centres and branches, who are left "picking up the pieces" when an animal is dumped.

The charity says it isn't clear why figures rise so dramatically in the warmer months, but it may be that abandoned animals are more visible when people are out and about, leading to people feeling less guilty about leaving them alone.

Among those abandoned last year was was a skinny pony which was crawling with maggots and found abandoned in Hampshire in June, and an extremely thin dog dumped in a park in Bournemouth in August. As reported at the time, the four-year-old crossbreed was found tied to a bench in Meyrick Park.

In another incident, a man was caught on CCTV hurling 12 rabbits into a roadside hedge by their ears.

The RSPCA says its cruelty line is being inundated with extra calls. 63,565 calls were made to the charity between June 1 and June 14 this year.

To help the RSPCA continue to rescue animals, visit rspca.org.uk/summercrisis