Animal cruelty and welfare concerns at 'unprecedented levels', charity warns

The cost-of-living crisis has left some people unable to care for their animals. And as people have returned to work after the pandemic, some animals have been abandoned or become neglected. File picture: ISPCA

Animal cruelty and welfare concerns have reached “unprecedented levels”, with a 75% increase in case files submitted for potential criminal prosecution, the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has warned.

The charity has seen a 49.3% increase in dogs surrendered due to animal welfare concerns between January and the end of November last year compared to the same period the previous year.