Charity aims to highlight threats suffered by animals and workers

The RSPCA has launched a brand new appeal called “Everyday Heroes”, which aims to highlight the dangers faced by animals and the charity workers trying to protect them.

The start of the campaign comes after the charity released figures revealing that air rifle injuries on animals increased by almost 40 per cent to nearly 800 attacks in 2012.

While RSPCA Inspectors are highly trained to cope with dangerous situations, official records show that weapons and other threats of violence can sometimes be turned on the charity’s staff.

Three out of four inspectors have suffered some form of abuse every year while doing their job. In 2012, there were 246 assaults or threats on inspectors.

These attacks and threats have included weapons such as a claw hammer, a crossbow and a shotgun along with death threats.

TV presenter and wildlife expert Chris Packham said: “I take my hat off to RSPCA inspectors,  I wouldn’t want to go into the situations they do and deal with people who have inflicted such barbaric cruelty on defenceless animals – that takes real courage and professionalism.”

He continued: “These Everyday Heroes can only help thanks to donations from the public so please give what you can.”

RSPCA Inspector Susan Haywood was assaulted last year and said: “The bottom line is that the call comes in and your only thought is that there is an animal needing your help and you don’t even think about what could happen to you and whether there could be violence directed to you.”

Actor and RSPCA vice president Brian Blessed added: “We are all revolted by reports of dogs being stabbed, swans being shot and cats being strangled, but we never stop to think about the brave inspectors who pluck these animals out of such dangerous situations.”

“It’s shocking that these men and women face threats and violence as they rescue the most neglected and abused animals but without them there would be no RSPCA. They truly are Everyday Heroes.”

Image courtesy of the RSPCA