Tougher sentence call as animal abuse hits new high

A CHARITY is calling for tougher sentences after animal abuse reached a three-year high in Wales last year.

The RSPCA dealt with thousands of cases in 2016 which included the particularly horrific examples of a golden eagle being forced to live in a squalid kitchen and a rabbit that was left to starve to death in a cupboard.

Animal cruelty prosecutions in Wales hit a three-year high last year, with 120 convictions being secured in total, which was an increase from 89 in 2015.

Almost 29 complaints of cruelty were investigated each day by RSPCA Cymru in 2016.

These alarming figures have prompted the charity to call for tougher sentences for animal abuse, as well as the introduction of an Offender Register for those who have already been convicted.

Among those convicted last year was Pembroke man Adam Smith, who was disqualified from having animals for 10 years after keeping a golden eagle in a dirty, cramped kitchen in his flat.

The eagle was found surrounded by broken glass, rubbish, faeces and mouldy food, and was tethered to a short jess strap.

Smith was also fined and given a 12-month community order.

RSPCA inspector Keith Hogben said: “This was the craziest thing I have ever seen. It is totally unthinkable. The conditions that the eagle were kept in were not suitable, the bird was unable to spread her wings.”

Last year a Swansea man was given a six-week suspended prison sentence for causing unnecessary suffering to three corn snakes, a boa constrictor and a rabbit.

RSPCA inspector Chris Coleman said: “The poor rabbit starved to death. He had no food or water and would have suffered a hideous death. He had maggots coming out of his eyes when I saw him.”