Thanks for taking the time to visit the website of UK Animal Cruelty Files (previously The Cruelty List UK and before that Pet Abuse UK).
The aim of UK Animal Cruelty Files is to collect information on animal cruelty prosecution cases in the United Kingdom: England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Each year the RSPCA investigates over 140,000 complaints of cruelty and neglect in England and Wales. The Scottish SPCA (SSPCA) receives around 1,000 reports of animal cruelty every week while Northern Ireland’s USPCA has averaged three reports per day since 2011.
In 2017 the RSPCA secured 1,492 convictions by private prosecution. Neither the SSPCA nor the USPCA bring prosecutions but still play a crucial role in bringing animal abusers to justice.
No excuse for animal abuse
Animal abuse is a heinous crime and those people who commit it are contemptible and not worthy of any kind of sympathy. Lawyers representing even the most extreme abusers in court will frequently give a variety of so-called mitigating factors to explain their client’s despicable behaviour: drug and alcohol abuse, depression and other mental illness, poverty and so on.
This, quite frankly, is bullshit; empty words which even the lawyers themselves probably don’t truly believe. When it comes to animal abuse, there are no excuses. None whatsoever.
Animal abuse is a serious crime worthy of harsh punishment
As it stands punishments meted out by the courts to animal abusers are woefully inadequate with offenders commonly receiving suspended prison sentences, paltry fines and nominal bans on keeping pets. One of our key aims is to campaign for stronger penalties for animal abuse. A lifetime disqualification order should be mandatory in EVERY case. Are these people really capable of being reformed? We think not.
The link between animal abuse and other types of violent crime
There is a well-established correlation between animal cruelty and other types of crime such as domestic violence and child abuse. In 2016 the FBI began collecting data on animal abuse and several US states now maintain a register of convicted offenders, providing a useful resource for pet retailers, welfare groups, rescues and others. For years, a sizable proportion of the British public have urged our government to do likewise, but ministers continue to drag their feet, evidently viewing animal cruelty as a trivial crime.
This website is borne out of frustration with our own government’s short-sightedness and offers an alternative until such time as an official register is implemented.
A cautionary note to our followers: vigilantism is illegal
While we will never shed a tear for any animal abuser, we strongly discourage our followers from contacting them by any method. No matter how depraved and vile their actions, these individuals are protected by public authorities and anyone seeking retribution against them will likely be met with the full force of the law. Sadly, that’s the world we live in nowadays.
No speciesism here
Our main focus is on the abuse of companion animals – dogs, cats, horses, rabbits, reptiles and so on – though we also highlight prosecutions involving wildlife – badger baiting and hunting with dogs, for example – and farm animals, including slaughterhouse cruelty.
We believe that all animal life is precious. The species is irrelevant. Hurt any animal and we will make it our business to expose you.
Disclaimer
All articles and posts on this website and any images or links contained within are for informational purposes only and must not be seen as incitement to attack or harass the person(s) depicted.
Reporting animal abuse
Domestic Animal Cruelty
UK Animal Cruelty Files is not an animal rescue organisation and has no affiliations with any rescues, so please don’t send us reports about animal cruelty. Time is of the essence as an animal’s life may be at stake, so please report concerns straightway to police, local authority or animal welfare charity. The numbers you need for the charities are:
RSPCA: 0300 1234 999
Scottish SPCA: 03000 999 999
Ulster SPCA: 028 3025 1000.
You can also try your local authority, many of which investigate allegations of animal abuse and take offenders to court. This is especially the case in Northern Ireland.
Cruelty to Equine Animals
World Horse Welfare have a welfare hotline 0300 333 6000 (lines are open between 8 am and 5.30 pm, Monday to Friday) if you are worried about a horse.
You can contact horse charity Redwings’ welfare team on 01508 481008. In an emergency situation out of normal office hours you can ring them on 07747 444704 or contact the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999.
Organised Animal Crime including Dog Fighting and Wildlife Persecution
The League Against Cruel Sports investigate illegal and cruel practices such as fox hunting, dog fighting, badger baiting, cockfighting and bird shooting. Contact details on this page.
Wildlife crime can also be reported to police; some forces have a rural crime team.
Use of copyrighted material on this website
UK Animal Cruelty Files contains copyrighted content, including photographs, not authorised for use by the owner. UKACF is a personal blog. It is strictly non-commercial, with no advertising-generated revenue, and the owner makes no money from its existence. We will, however, respect any requests for copyrighted material to be removed. These should be emailed to contact@ukanimalcrueltyfiles.org.