Reports of animal cruelty have risen dramatically, with Norfolk seeing the third biggest increase in England.
In Norfolk alone, the RSPCA recorded 86 reports during June, July, and August last year, up from 54.
The 59pc increase is the third highest in the country and one distressing case in Norfolk involved 11 newborn puppies found dead along a roadside verge in Hoe, Dereham, last June.
The pups, believed to be a bull breed, still had their umbilical cords attached and showed no signs of injury, raising suspicions about the manner of their deaths.
Vets doubt all could have been stillborn and the way their bodies were found suggested they may have been dumped from a moving vehicle.
Jo Hirst, an RSPCA superintendent, said: "It’s incredibly alarming that we are seeing year after year of rising reports of cruelty.
"The summer months are our busiest times of year and our frontline rescue teams, specialist vets, behaviourists, rehabilitation and rehoming teams will be working tirelessly to help as many animals as possible."
The RSPCA has also raised concerns that the ongoing World Cup could lead to yet another spike in cruelty calls.
Research by the charity shows a rise in domestic abuse during football tournaments, which can also affect pets.
Coercive control cases handled by the RSPCA have included threats of violence against animals as a means of manipulation, which has caused the charity to launch its Cruelty Hurts Love Rescues fundraising campaign.
The charity’s emergency line received 6,322 cruelty-related calls during last summer, one every 10 minutes.
That was up from 3,852 in the same period in 2021, marking a 64pc rise in five years.
Nationally, reports rose by 22pc in the past year alone, from 17,260 in 2024 to 21,117 in 2025.
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