PROSECUTIONS for deliberate animal cruelty and neglect reached a four-year high in Wales last year.

The RSPCA secured 148 convictions in magistrates’ courts across Wales in 2017.

This compared to 120 in 2016, 89 in 2015 and 116 in 2014.

Levels of animal cruelty have been branded “extremely shocking and deeply saddening” by the RSPCA’s superintendent in Wales Martyn Hubbard.

Last year’s 148 convictions were shared by 67 defendants, and a further 52 offenders were cautioned by the animal welfare charity.

The RSPCA investigated 10,176 complaints of cruelty in 2017, compared to 10,540 in 2016.

“It is extremely shocking and deeply saddening to see this level of horrific cruelty across Wales,” said Mr Hubbard.

“Our inspectors are dealing with disturbing and unique cases of deliberate abuse towards helpless animals.

“Last year we dealt with several distressing cases that involved video evidence, that had been shared via social media.

“Convictions were successfully secured in cases where, for example, a video showed three men launching a rat out of a pipe like a cannonball, while another video showed a pony being brutally whipped and kicked.

“This evidence understandably causes great distress and public outcry. Thankfully due to valuable information being reported to us in confidence, we are able to investigate and bring any animal welfare offenders to justice.

“There is just no excuse for animal cruelty and will continue to ensure animal welfare laws are adhered to.

“Prosecution is always a last resort for the RSPCA - and court cases were the huge minority of the 28 complaints we investigated on average on every single day of 2017.”

One case prosecuted last year involved a mastiff-type dog called Troy, who was kept in conditions so horrendous the smell burned the eyes of the RSPCA inspector who rescued him.

Troy’s owner was banned from keeping a dog for five years, was given a conditional discharge for three years, and ordered to pay £300 costs and a £20 victim surcharge.

Fortunately, Troy recovered and was rehomed, but other animals were not so lucky.

A helpless and unwell German Shepherd dog found concealed in a piece of carpet after being dumped on a roadside near Fochriw, had to be put down on welfare grounds.

Its owner was traced to neighbouring Blaenau Gwent, and he received a suspended prison sentence, and was banned from keeping animals for life.