Highest total ever of animal cruelty cases

THE Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals concluded 21 prosecutions before the courts last year.

The figure, the highest ever, was revealed yesterday in the charity’s annual inspectorate report.

The national animal cruelty helpline received 16,211 calls last year, resulting in 3,273 investigations and 1,250 animals being seized or surrendered.

ISPCA chief Dr Andrew Kelly said: “Our resources are now stretched to breaking point and we need more inspectors on the ground to deal with reports of animal cruelty.”