Prosecutions in animal cruelty cases rose in Wales last year, according to the RSPCA’s latest figures.
Complaints totalling 10,540 were investigated across the country in 2016, with 583 specific to Caerphilly County Borough – the fifth highest in Wales.
The RSPCA’s annual prosecution statistics for the year showed a slight increase in complaints in Caerphilly from 570 in 2015, while the total amount across Wales hit a three-year high, rising 6.5% from the previous year.
Of the 22 local authorities, only Cardiff, Swansea, Rhondda Cynon Taff and Carmarthenshire experienced a higher number of complaints than Caerphilly in 2016, with the animal charity last month describing a spate of cat poisonings around the borough as “deeply concerning”.
Martyn Hubbard, RSPCA Cymru Superintendent, said: “Each and every year, I am left deeply saddened and appalled at the level of animal abuse, neglect and cruelty we witness all across Wales.
“Once again, 2016 highlighted the huge importance of the frontline work of RSPCA, with a series of very diverse convictions secured in court, concerning a catalogue of cruelty. It was a busy year in terms of necessary prosecutions activity – with more convictions secured than in the previous two calendar years.
“This doesn’t suggest more cruelty is necessarily taking place – but that people in Wales are potentially more likely to report it, and tools like social media becoming more adept in bringing incidences to light. Clearly, however, big challenges remain in protecting the nation’s animals.
“From dealing with the thinnest husky dogs one inspector had ever seen, to rescuing a golden eagle left in filthy conditions in a Pembroke kitchen, no two cases are ever the same; and the RSPCA remains on hand 24 hours per day to deal with all forms of animal abuse.”
A total of 120 convictions were secured in magistrates’ courts across Wales in 2016, compared to 89 and 116 in the preceding two years, while a further 67 offenders were also cautioned.
RSPCA Cymru is also calling for public support in the introduction of an Offender Register for those who have been convicted of animal abuse and disqualified from keeping them.
The charity surveyed 1,100 adults as part of a YouGov poll in January of this year, where 88% claimed they were in favour of the proposal.
It is also calling for an increase in the maximum sentence available in England and Wales for animal abuse. At present, the maximum sentence in England and Wales is six months in prison, but in Northern Ireland, the maximum sentence stands at five years.
Since 2013 in Wales, the RSPCA has prosecuted 11 individuals for breaching their disqualification from owning and keeping animals under Section 34 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
RSPCA Cymru’s Assistant Director of External Relations, Claire Lawson, added: “The Animal Welfare Act has now been in force in Wales for ten years – and remains the single most important tool at our disposal to protect the nation’s animals.
“Animals are now better protected in Wales than ever before – but more still needs to be done to ensure a framework is in place offering them better protection.
“During 2016, we again saw a number of animal abusers hit with disqualification orders from owning animals in the future – but it’s so hard for rehoming centres, pet shops and others to stop people breaching these bans.
“Almost nine in ten people in Wales support the introduction of an Offender Register, which would be a critical step forward in keeping animals safe and helping us to tackle some of the horrendous cruelty witnessed by the RSPCA once again in 2016.”