INJURIES to a dog in Powys were among the worst cases reported to the RSPCA over the past 12 months.

Fig the terrier was found in a yard in Powys suffering 'horrendous' injuries to his haw, muzzle and face suspected to be from badger digging.

The case was one of a growing list of abuses to dogs reported in Wales.

Others include a Welsh border collie Prince being hung by his neck with a rope from a tree in Caerphilly and a cocker spaniel being attacked by his owner in Neath Port Talbot.

County Times: Fig the dog suffered 'horrendous' injuries.

Fig the terrier.

The cases prove that while dogs are widely regarded as man’s best friend they’re also the most persecuted pet in England and Wales.

According to new figures, released by the RSPCA, dogs are four times more likely to be the victims of intentional harm compared to cats.

As part of its Cancel Out Cruelty campaign, the RSPCA is releasing new figures that highlight how - despite being called ‘man’s best friend’ - dogs are the most likely pet to be abused by their owners.

From 2016 to 2020, 63,881 incidents of intentional harm involving dogs were reported to the RSPCA’s cruelty line; that’s 34 a day or more than one every hour across England and Wales.

County Times: DOGS: RSPCA warn of dangers the heat can be for pets (RSPCA Westmorland Branch)

The RSPCA reported the findings.

In 2020, 7,691 reports of intentional harm against dogs were reported to the RSPCA and, over summer (June - August) in particular, the charity received 2,053 reports.

In Wales, the charity’s officers investigated 504 incidents of deliberate cruelty towards dogs in 2020.

RSPCA dog welfare expert Dr Samantha Gaines said: "Some of the cases I’ve seen have left me in tears and still stay with me today.

"But, tragically, that’s the reality for so many dogs. We’ve seen some of the most unimaginable cruelty inflicted on these gentle, sweet creatures. We’ve seen them beaten, drowned, set on fire, and poisoned.

County Times: The dogs - including Huntaways, German Shepherds and Collies - are now in the safe care of the RSPCA and others after being found at dilapidated farm premises in Ceredigion.

Abused dogs.

"Our officers have been able to save some of them; getting to them just in time and finding them collapsed, bloodied, and hopeless. Others have died at the hands of their tormentors, but none should experience such cruelty."

The RSPCA gets around 84,000 calls to its cruelty line every month and around 1,500 of those are about intentional cruelty. But the charity sees a rise in the summer by around 400 calls, on average, per month, which equates to 47 calls every day or two every hour.