A 22 October 2026 study commissioned by the Animal Welfare Evidence Centre estimates spending on the response to reported illegal animal abuse and neglect in Great Britain. The RSPCA brought it into the UK budget discussion on 27 October. For dog owners, one identifiable cost is the kennelling and veterinary care linked to enforcement of the Dangerous Dogs Act. The study covers many species and several services, so its overall range must not be presented as a dog-only bill.

What was actually measured?

WPI Economics combined public records, information requests and modelling to estimate costs borne by police and enforcement bodies, the courts, local authorities and animal welfare charities. It gives police and adjacent agencies a range of £70.6 million to £108 million annually for responding to animal-related crime. That range includes some dog kennelling and veterinary costs; it does not break out a national dog-only figure. The study estimates £730.7 million to £844.4 million of annual charity expenditure on investigation, rescue, care and prevention across animals. These are modelled spending ranges, not a count of individual dogs harmed.

Where are the limits?

The research summary says usable responses came from 58% of local authorities and 34% of police forces approached. The authors extrapolated part of the spending from incomplete returns and say unrecorded harm and wider consequences are outside the estimate. Great Britain means England, Scotland and Wales here; the report does not give a Northern Ireland total. No figure on this page is a personal dog-care budget, a grooming price average, or a measure of how often any particular dog is harmed.

What is being proposed?

The evidence centre recommends more consistent recording of animal-related offences and costs, with prevention and response costs separated. In a 27 October statement, the RSPCA also asks the government to consider support for struggling pet owners. These are research recommendations and a charity's budget requests; they are not enacted UK policy or a confirmed new benefit. Their value for owners is in clarifying where evidence is still missing before policy claims are made.

What can a dog owner do now?

If care costs are becoming difficult, speak to the relevant vet or provider early about the dog's immediate needs and the options they can actually offer. For a routine grooming appointment, our four safety questions help you discuss the dog's comfort, supervision and a change of plan with a salon. The directory lists businesses to contact directly; GroomNear does not arrange treatment or guarantee a service. A suspected welfare emergency needs the appropriate local authority or welfare service, not a directory listing.

Sources reviewed 1 November 2026. Study scope: Great Britain; RSPCA request: UK Government budget discussion. Corrections: support@groomnear.com.