THE RSPCA has investigated more than 27,000 animal cruelty cases in the South West in the last 12 months, a five per cent rise on the year before.

Inspectors investigated 74 new reports of animal cruelty in South West every day, totalling 27,019 across a 12 month period.

Nationally, there were 400 allegations of animal cruelty every day last year, a total of 148,604 and a rise of nearly five per cent from 2015.

Calls to the RSPCA’s 24-hour cruelty hotline also rose by nearly four per cent, which amounted to more than 1.15million calls last year - averaging one every 27 seconds.

The shocking catalogue of cruelty investigated by RSPCA officers in the South West included a Somerset man who claimed he can talk to horses and ran both a business as a horse whisperer and rescuer.

The horses were starving, thin, covered in lice and very frightened. A vet was called and due to the level of suffering the decision was made to remove three of the horses.

The man was banned from owning horses after he was convicted of three counts of cruelty to his own herd in January 2016.

Less than a month later, RSPCA received another complaint and visited the same field to find that more of the man’s horses were at risk, one of which, a grey mare called Lady, was found so emaciated and suffering with rain scald and an untreated leg injury that she was immediately removed on veterinary advice.

Marie Griffiths, an RSPCA inspector, said: “When you take on the big responsibility of setting up a rescue or starting a business where animals are involved, a passion for animals as well as extensive knowledge of those animals, the law, and secure finances are the key to making things work.

“Sadly in this case, despite many warnings and advice from the RSPCA and other official organisations, the defendant continued to fail to meet the basic needs of the animals in his care. People that are struggling must always ask for help as problems such as what was being experienced here just cannot be ignored.”

The horses are currently homed at an RSPCA centre.

Dermot Murphy, assistant director of the RSPCA Inspectorate, said: “I believe that the figures from last year show that we’re not becoming crueller, but that people are simply less willing to stand by and do nothing if they think an animal is suffering.

“People are increasingly likely to share images or footage on their social media accounts of animals they believe are not being cared for properly, while many will see material their friends have shared and then contact us about them.

“Either way, our officers are under increased pressure having to respond to more calls and investigate more complaints, but it is thanks to their dedication, as well as RSPCA staff and volunteers across England and Wales that we are able to transform the lives of tens of thousands of animals each year.”

The number of people convicted of animal cruelty offences in the region was 93, down from 104 in 2015. Nationally 684 people were convicted, down from 754 in 2015.

The majority of complaints received by the RSPCA in 2016 continued to be about the welfare of dogs (84,994), followed by cats (36,156) and horses (19,530).

Mr Murphy added: “People might see these figures as a negative, and I certainly take no cheer from knowing that any animal has suffered.

“What I do take pride in is knowing that because of the RSPCA’s intervention we have prevented many more animals from suffering at the hands of those who we have successfully investigated and brought before the courts.”

Two neglected dogs are now in loving new homes after their owner was disqualified from keeping animals for 10 years in April 2016 after failing to provide them with adequate food or water.

Airedale terrier Sam and Staffordshire bull terrier-cross named Chip were found living outside with only one small kennel between the two of them in Crewkerne.

Mrs Griffiths, who investigated, said: “Sam and Chip were both living outside with shelter big enough for only one of the dogs. They were not getting enough water or food and were both in poor condition.

“We tried to work with their owner to improve the welfare of the dogs, but despite issuing several improvement notices, he did not comply so we were left with no alternative other than to prosecute.

“I was shocked by his utter refusal to give the pair enough food and water, and a vet advised that the dogs needed to be removed. Thankfully, both Sam and Chip have found wonderful new homes.”

The RSPCA classifies the South West as Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Bristol, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Berkshire, Oxfordshire, Hereford, Hertfordshire, Worcestershire, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire.