Home
News headlines
News videos
News photos
Preston news
South Ribble news
Ribble Valley news
Wyre news
National news
National video news
Letters
Elections
Site Map
Search Advanced Search
News headlines  RSS Feed RSS feed | About
EDITOR'S CHOICE
LETTERS
FILM TRAILERS
Watch sneak previews of the latest blockbusters. Click here.

WEATHER
What the weather will be like in the Preston and Leyland area. Click here.

PRESTON NORTH END
GET OUR NEWS BY E-MAIL
Most read Comments
Animal cruelty cases fall
HORROR STORY: A dog rescued by the RSPCA during the year
HORROR STORY: A dog rescued by the RSPCA during the year

ANIMAL cruelty has fallen in East Lancashire according to the latest figures released by the RSPCA.

The figures compare statistics from 2005 to 2006 and reveal that East Lancashire bucks the national trend of rising cruelty.

While nationally, the figures from 2006 reveal a 10.5% increase in animal cruelty investigations by the RSPCA (122,454 in 2006), a 7.6% increase in animal rescues and collections (164,110), a 6.5% increase in welfare improvement advice given (52,688 instances), and a 10% increase in verbal warnings to prevent offences being committed (4,222), East Lancashire RSPCA tells a different tale.

Here, the number of cases reported fell from 70 to 69, defendants reported fell from 111 to 99, juvenile defendants convicted fell from 3 to 1 and convictions secured fell from 105 to 75.

Only adult defendants convicted rose from 37 in 2005 to 38 in 2006, and the number of offenders cautioned rose from 19 to 23.

The number of defendants dismissed remained the same for both years at two.

The decrease is thought to be down to the introduction of the new Animal Welfare Act. RSPCA inspectors are reporting that the new law, which came in to force in the spring, is enabling them to intervene earlier, helping more animals before they start to suffer.

Alan Wolinski, regional manager for the RSPCA in the North, said: "Today's figures refer to last year and, although the Animal Welfare Act is only a few months old, so far it seems to be working extremely well.

"Many RSPCA inspectors are reporting that people are responding well to the new law, and increasingly we are able to prevent animal suffering before it begins.

"The new Animal Welfare Act obliges courts to explain their reasons if they don't impose a ban. We hope this will focus attention on preventative action, which could save lives."

There are also some other positive trends. Offences against dogs and cats were down (by 15.6% and 9.5% respectively) although dogs remained by far the animals most offended against - with 891 convictions over the year, compared with 240 crimes against cats.

The statistics do however reveal an increase in offen-ces against horses, ponies and other equines - up 33% on the previous year (104 offences in 2006).

12:01am Wednesday 1st August 2007

Print   Email this   Comment
Posted by: Suricate, London on 8:10pm Sun 5 Aug 07
The rspca have, in true political fashion massaged their statistics to suit their agenda. People are giving up keeping pets simply because of the pressure put on them by the pet police ( rspca ) The rspca admit dogs are the worst problem YET FAILED TO CALL FOR COMPULSORY MICROCHIPPING !! Independant dog and cat rescues are over run due solely to this new rspca animal rights act. The rspca will try to brainwash the public and a far easier MP selection so as they can push through their real AR agenda in secondary legislation, much of which the public will not be aware of until its` TOO late.
Add your comment
Name:
Email: *
Location:
**
Security Image. Registered site users are not required to enter Security Image Information.
 
 e.g. 123-123
Comment:
Please note: All HTML tags will be ignored.
Format Text:

 
By posting a comment, I confirm that I have read and agree to the terms of use. Comments are not moderated but we will react if anything that breaks the rules comes to our attention and we may delete inappropriate postings. Please treat other people with respect. You must not post anything that is abusive, indecent, unlawful or defamatory. Remember, you are personally liable for what you post on this site. If you wish to complain about a comment, contact us here.
* Your email address will not be displayed
** To avoid register now or login
Archive
Retail Directory'
Preston and Leyland
Powered by Powered by Fish4

Hot Jobs

Escorts
Lancashire
Various
North West
Book an Ad
MEDIA PACK
All the information you need about our great advertising deals
Terms & Conditions
Privacy Policy © Copyright 2001-2008
Newsquest Media Group
A Gannett Company
This site is part of Newsquest's audited local newspaper network