Injured sheep among more than 1,300 incidents for RSPCA in Northamptonshire since lockdown

The RSPCA has responded to more than 1,300 incidents in Northamptonshire since lockdown, including a sheep injured in a suspected dog attack near Northampton

Rescuers from the charity moved the animal, which had suffered bite wounds, to a barn nearby and arranged for a vet to help her after being spotted collapsed by a walker on April 7.

From March 24, the day after the country was told to stay at home because of the coronavirus pandemic, to Wednesday (August 5), the RSPCA's key workers responded to an average of 10 incidents a day.

Nationally, officers answered 442,344 calls and dealt with 106,676 incidents - an average of 790 per day - all while Covid-19 has hugely impacted the charity's finances.

Chief inspectorate officer Dermot Murphy said: “We’ve had to quickly and drastically change the way we work during these unprecedented times, from the way we rehome animals to the PPE we wear when responding to calls.

“But the priority for us during lockdown has been to continue to be there for those animals who need us - while also helping people who have been hit hard by the pandemic.

The animal welfare charity’s frontline officers, animal carers and vets have continued to rescue, treat and care for animals in need since the country went into lockdown on March 23.

Funding is needed to help the organisation continue rescuing animals and looking after the 6,381 animals in its care across England and Wales.

As well as operating an emergency service, RSPCA officers have also been collecting animals from the homes of people who have been admitted to hospital with Covid-19, who may not have anyone else to care for them while their owners are being treated.

Since Defra approved a new process for rehoming rescue animals, the RSPCA has found new homes or foster carers for 5,723 animals.

Mr Murphy said: “Now, more than four months into lockdown, we’ve passed a milestone as we responded to our 100,000th incident.

"And our staff are as busy as ever collecting abandoned animals, investigating complaints of cruelty, providing life-saving veterinary treatment to the sick and injured, and finding wonderful new homes for our residents.

“But to continue our vital work and to survive the huge impact this pandemic has had on the economy and, therefore, the charity sector, we really need your help. Please donate whatever you can spare at www.rspca.org.uk/covid.”

To sponsor the RSPCA, visit rspca.org.uk/covid.