RSPCA calls for tougher sentences for animal abusers

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, including the horrific example of a Barry man who attacked dogs with a catapult.

The figures also showed Cardiff was the place in Wales with the highest number of cruelty complaints last year, with 1,030 cases in the city being investigated in 2016.

Across the nation, 120 convictions were secured last year, which was a rise of 31 on the 2015 figures.

It meant almost 29 complaints of cruelty were investigated each day by RSPCA Cymru in 2016.

As well as sparking a call for tougher sentences for animal abuse, the charity also wants to see the introduction of an offender register for those who have already been convicted.

Among the cases hitting the headlines in Wales last year were a man filmed attacking dogs with a catapult while another was jailed for drugging a Staffordshire bull terrier with cocaine before cutting its ears off.

Officers also dealt with the case of a man who kept a golden eagle in the cramped kitchen of his flat, surrounded by broken glass, rubbish, faeces and mouldy food.

And, in another case, a pet owner was taken to court after a rabbit was left to starve to death in a cupboard.

Across the UK, dogs made up the majority of welfare complaints received by the RSPCA, with 84,944 complaints being recorded in the last year alone.

RSPCA Cymru claims the introduction of an offender register would help deter cruelty offences.

A YouGov survey carried out in January suggests 88% of people in Wales back the proposal.

RSPCA Cymru Superintendent Martyn Hubbard 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 the 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.”