Bumper's owner amputated the dog's leg himself

With convictions for animal cruelty last year rising to 2,071 from 1,700 in 2004, the animal welfare charity said: "2005 will go down as one of the most violent towards animals."

Among the cases was Bumper the dog, found by an RSPCA inspector with his right front leg amputated just below the knee.

Bumper had been in a car accident and his owner, Griffith Prosser, 36, from Aberfan, south Wales, decided to amputate the dog's leg himself.

Following the accident, a vet administered Bumper with pain relief, but Prosser decided not to go ahead with any further treatment and instead removed the dog's leg using an electric knife.

The amputated leg was later found in Prosser's garden.

Magistrates confiscated Bumper and disqualified Prosser from owning any animals for 10 years.

Simon Evans, the RSCPA inspector who discovered Bumper, said: "This unhappy tale illustrates the perils of doing nothing and the disastrous consequences of taking matters into your hands."

Chained up

The RSPCA followed up a complaint that a dog could be heard whimpering at Serena Lloyd's house in Malvern, Worcestershire.

Animal abuse cases increase

An inspector found Jess, a Rottweiler-cross, with chains round her mouth, front and fore legs.

The dog was unable to walk, eat or drink.

Following an examination by a vet, Jess was found to have a severe skin condition, sores and bald patches as a result of being chained up.

Lloyd was banned from keeping animals for five years.

Jess was confiscated, has made a full recovery and is living in a new home in the West Midlands.

Life-time ban

Rosalind Gregson, who kept 271 animals in her house, including dogs, cats and birds, was banned from keeping animals for life.

The ban was imposed after the 55-year-old from Silverdale in Lancashire admitted nine charges of causing unnecessary suffering to various dogs.

Dogs at Gregson's house were crammed into cages

The RSPCA found Gregson's home was filled with scores of miniature breed dogs crammed in cages which were stacked one on top of the other.

Many of the dogs had infections and injuries, and they were emaciated, with many covered in faeces and urine.

Animals in the cages were packed in so closely that it prevented freedom of movement.

Nine of the animals had to be put down shortly after RSPCA inspectors removed them from her home.