RSPCA receives reports of 103 abandoned animals during coronavirus lockdown

In the West Midlands, there have been reports about 103 abandoned animals to the RSPCA's cruelty hotline since lockdown started on 23 March.

Figures have been released as part of the charities emergency appeal, launched to keep its rescue teams out on the road during the coronavirus crisis.

The charity is investigating after a box of five cockerels were dumped. The birds were crammed into a box on a grassy area off Eves Lane, Dudley on 25 April.

When Inspector Vicki Taylor arrived, the box was laying beside the fence and the cockerels were loose in the grass.

They are now in RSPCA care and if their owner cannot be found, they will look for new homes.

Dermot Murphy, head of the RSPCA rescue teams, said: "Many people are finding their pets are a real source of comfort in these anxious times and thankfully cases of abandonment are slightly lower than usual but it’s heartbreaking that some animals are being dumped during this crisis.

“In most cases, we don’t know why pets are abandoned but it’s really important to remind people that there is no evidence to suggest that Covid-19 can be passed from pets to people."

Meanwhile, in Leicestershire, there have been reports about 27 abandoned animals to the hotline since lockdown started.