AN ANIMAL welfare charity is braced for a ‘summer of suffering’ in Oxfordshire.

Figures show that the RSPCA sees a spike in cruelty during the summer months.

The charity receives about 90,000 calls to its cruelty line every month across the country, but this rises to 134,000 a month during the summer.

In Oxfordshire, there were 89 reports of intentional harm against animals made to the RSPCA last year.

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Last summer, two rabbits – named Harry and Stirling – were abandoned in a cage without food or water beside The Ridgeway in Wantage.

Dermot Murphy, chief inspectorate officer at the RSPCA, said: “There are many factors which could explain why we see a rise in cruelty during the summer months.

“The longer sunny days could mean people are out and about more and likely to see and report abuse.

“Hot summer days can also lead to more people drinking alcohol in the sun which in turn can be a factor causing violence.

“Perhaps there is boredom or pressures at home with children being off school which can make existing difficulties magnified.

“And this year, we are also concerned that the recent rise in pet ownership coupled with the cost of living crisis could see people really struggling to care for their pets which may lead them to lash out or could see more animals than ever being abandoned or given up.”

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This story was written by Liam Rice, he joined the team in 2019 as a multimedia reporter.

Liam covers politics, travel and transport. He occasionally covers Oxford United.

Get in touch with him by emailing: Liam.rice@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter @OxMailLiamRice