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RSPCA Cymru received more than 3,379 reports of dog cruelty in 2022 – a 10% increase on the previous year, the charity has revealed.

Of the reports it received last year, 579 involved intentional harm to dogs, with a further 45 reports of dogs being abandoned.

The RSPCA’s definition of intentional harm can include attempted killing, poisoning, beatings, improper killing and suspicious circumstances.

Meanwhile, the charity received 1,922 reports of neglect in 2022.

However, the number of reports made in Caerphilly County Borough actually decreased by nearly 10% – falling from 203 reports in 2021 to 184 in 2022.

The figures have been released as part of the charity’s UK-wide Cancel Out Cruelty campaign.

Gemma Cooper, RSPCA deputy chief inspector for west and mid Wales, said: “Dogs are the most abused animal in this country and we investigate more complaints about them than any other type of animal.

“Everyone who cares about animals will be sickened to know how many reports we receive about dogs being kicked, beaten, burned or worse.

“We need the public’s help to Cancel Out Cruelty. Their donations, no matter how small, help keep our frontline officers out on the road rescuing animals and investigating these terrible reports.”

Dermot Murphy, RSPCA inspectorate commissioner, said: “Right now, animal cruelty is happening in Wales on a massive scale and rising. It is heart-breaking that we are seeing such sad figures which show animal cruelty is, very sadly, on the rise.

“While we don’t know for certain why there has been an increase, the cost-of-living crisis and the post-pandemic world we live in has created an animal welfare crisis.

“Each year, these reports reach its terrible annual peak in the summer months – when an animal is beaten on average every hour of every day. The cost-of-living crisis also means the cost of rescuing animals is at an all-time high and our vital services are stretched to the limit.”