Animal neglect in Britain has reached a five-year high, with cruelty investigators warning that suffering pets are increasingly being hidden away in filthy homes across the country.
New figures from the RSPCA show reports of animal neglect rose by 28 per cent last year, with the charity now receiving an average of 17 neglect reports every hour its cruelty line is open. Frontline officers say the problem is worsening and they are braced for further pressure on rescue services as the cost of living crisis is exacerbated by household winter pressures.
Behind the stark national figures are individual cases of animals pushed to the brink.
One recent case involved a springer spaniel called Floss, who was found starving and close to death after being shut inside a filthy house with no food or water. In the same property, another Mastiff had already died.
Floss was rescued by RSPCA inspectors from a rubbish-strewn, faeces-filled home near Northallerton in North Yorkshire. When officers entered the property, they found her desperately scavenging through waste in a futile attempt to find something to eat.
She was emaciated, dehydrated and covered in fleas. Her ribs, spine and pelvic bones were clearly visible beneath inflamed skin, and she was suffering weakness caused by blood loss from the infestation.
Despite her condition, Floss still wagged her tail when rescuers arrived.
As inspectors searched the house to check whether any other animals were inside, they opened a bathroom door. Floss ran straight in and drank ravenously from a bowl of water, highlighting just how long she had been deprived.
Investigating a powerful stench coming from an adjoining bedroom, officers discovered the badly decomposed body of a Mastiff called Alice, who had been Floss’s companion. The dog was surrounded by rubbish, faeces and dead flies. Two empty metal bowls lay tipped upside down beside her, and a fabric collar with a chain was still attached to her neck. Because of the extent of decomposition, it was unclear whether the chain had been fixed to anything in the room.
Rescuers believe Floss would have suffered the same fate had they not intervened when they did.
RSPCA Inspector Emma Stainthorpe, who attended the scene in October 2023, said the conditions were among the worst she had encountered in her 13-year career.
“It was one of the worst jobs of my 13 year career. Floss was in an awful state and was very obviously underweight and I could see lots of live fleas running and jumping all over her – and her ribs, spine and pelvic bones protruding out of her inflamed skin.
“There was also a lot of blood on her bedding area which was from where the fleas had been attacking her and this had caused her vitamin deficiencies in her blood.
“She and Alice had been living in horrendous conditions. There was faeces and junk all over the house with no food or water for the pets and it was so upsetting to see – especially as we believe Floss had been living in the same house as the decomposing remains of her friend.
“She happily greeted us when we entered the home – wanting a fuss which pulled on the heartstrings. She was quite content to come with us – after the owner agreed we could take her for urgent vet treatment and she was so friendly and loving. It was so sad to see how Alice had been left to die and was really upsetting.
“Had it not been for the intervention of the RSPCA, I have no doubt Floss would have suffered a similar fate.”
Floss was rushed for emergency veterinary treatment in Darlington, where staff feared she might not survive. She was given a body condition score of just one out of nine.. She weighed only 8kg, when she should have been at least 12kg, and was severely dehydrated.
Blood tests showed she was dangerously anaemic, likely caused by a combination of malnutrition and the severe flea infestation. Because of the level of suffering, she was seized by police at the vets and placed into RSPCA care.
Floss was put on fluids and a carefully controlled re-feeding programme and soon began to make progress. At first it was thought she was a collie, but as she gained weight and her fur grew back healthy, vets realised she was a springer spaniel.
Two days after Floss arrived at the practice, vet Shannon Hamilton, 28, returned from holiday and immediately felt a connection with the dog.
“The initial thing that struck me about Floss was when I first saw her in her cage was her lovely face and big puppy dog eyes looking scared – I just felt an instant connection,” she said.
After fostering Floss while court proceedings against her former owner were ongoing, Shannon officially adopted her. Today, Floss is thriving.
“Floss is doing really well – she is very well socialised with people and dogs,” Shannon said. “She loves people and other dogs and is not nervous at all considering what she has been through. She is about seven years-old now and has made a huge difference to our lives. She is our little girl and we love her to bits.”
A North Yorkshire man later pleaded guilty to five animal welfare offences relating to Floss and Alice and was banned from keeping dogs for ten years.
The RSPCA says Floss’s case is far from unique. Inspectors are dealing with hundreds of cases every day nationwide, many involving animals left without basic food, water or veterinary care. Officers warn that without early intervention, neglect can quickly escalate into fatal cruelty.
Emma added: “I am just glad to see that Floss now has the loving new home she deserves. It makes my job so worthwhile seeing such a happy ending – especially when so many animals are still suffering in silence.”
