Region tops table of cruelty convictions

New figures listing a catalogue of abuse against animals in Shropshire and Powys and the number of people convicted for the crimes were released today.

In Shropshire last year, 19 convictions were secured and 12 defendants convicted in court while in Powys nine convictions were secured and seven defendants convicted, according to the statistics released today by the RSPCA.

No prison sentences were imposed on offenders in either county but nine adult written cautions were delivered in Shropshire.

The new figures show that the West Midlands tops the table for having the most defendants convicted and the most convictions secured in 2007.

Nationally, the number of people convicted for cruelty to animals rose in 2007 by almost a quarter.

Some 1,149 people were convicted for crimes against animals including dogs, cats, horses and rats, up from 927 in 2006.

A total of 54 prison sentences were imposed, including ones for an owner who stabbed and tortured his 10-month-old border collie and another who kicked and slapped his cat to death because she had muddy paws, the RSPCA revealed.

Cases in Shropshire in 2007 included a 42-year-old Telford man who was banned from keeping animals for life after RSPCA inspectors found a collection of exotic pets, including two dead lizards, at his flat.

But despite some horrific neglect cases, the charity today that there were also some amazing tales of survival.

Thanks to vigilant members of the public, the RSPCA said it has been alerted to some appalling situations in time to rescue animals which have survived against all the odds.

Romain de Kerckhove, acting superintendent for the RSPCA Wales & West, said: "These animals are the helpless victims of our throwaway society.

"They're bought on a whim and discarded when the novelty wears off.

"Worse still some animals are simply ignored and left to rot.

"While the owner continues with their life as normal, these animals starve, suffer and die.

"How any human being can be responsible for such animal cruelty and neglect, yet turn a blind eye is beyond me."

But the charity said the new Animal Welfare Act- which came into force in 2007 - was already starting to take effect.

The act has made it possible to take action sooner than ever before in situations where there are animal welfare concerns.

Crimes against animals - the facts:

• 19 convictions for animal cruelty were secured in Shropshire and nine in Powys.

• 12 defendants were convicted in Shropshire and seven in Powys.

• Nine adult written cautions were given in Shropshire.

• Nationally, 1,149 people were convicted for crimes against animals including dogs, cats, horses and rats - up from 927 in 2006.

• There was a 34 per cent increase in convictions for cruelty to dogs and a 15 per cent increase in convictions for cruelty to cats.

• The RSPCA saw a 12 per cent increase in cruelty investigations and a 26 per cent increase in banning orders issued by the courts.

• Convictions for cruelty to horses increased by 13 per to 119 in 2007.

• A total of 54 prison sentences was imposed and the number of prison terms was up 42 per cent on 2006, while 71 suspended sentences were imposed.

• The RSPCA carried out 165,720 rescues and collections, which includes work to help wild animals. It handled nearly 1.2 million calls.

• There was a rise of 12 per cent in the number of complaints investigated by the inspectorate, with more than 137,000 cases looked into.

By Rebecca Lawrence