ISPCA in 'crisis' with 80% rise in pets requiring rescue amid 'surge in cruelty cases'

Head of animal welfare at the ISPCA Denise McCausland with corgi puppy Rhino, who was recently rescued from a puppy farm. Picture: Gareth Chaney/ Collins

There has been an 80% rise in animals being taken in by the ISPCA amid what it describes as "crisis" levels of cruelty and abandonment.

The Irish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has reported unprecedented levels of animal abuse cases resulting in almost 700 animals being rescued in the first quarter of this year alone.