 This puppy's owner stood by while his friend maltreated it |
Vicious attacks on animals in the region are rising, according to latest RSPCA figures. Last year local cases involving violence towards were up by nearly a third. The RSPCA's eastern region took 116,458 calls from the public which resulted in 66 successful prosecutions for cruelty. John Atter, manager for the RSPCA's eastern region, said: "While we have become used to the appalling consequences of neglect to animals, 2002 saw shocking cases of callous and malicious cruelty. "This is totally unacceptable in a civilised society and must be stopped." Pelvic fractures He appealed to the public not to acquire animals unless owners were prepared to provide the necessary commitment and compassion to their care. Among the people prosecuted in the region was the owner of a four-month-old German Shepherd puppy that was subjected to mental and physical abuse. Owner Anthony Ballantyne 21, from Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, was found guilty of permitting unnecessary suffering to his dog. Robert I'Anson 23, of the same address, admitted cruelty. Both were banned from keeping any animal for 10 years. In Essex a Yorkshire terrier was left untreated with pelvic, rib and spinal fractures from two occasions of trauma. Kelly and Michael Lane, from Colchester, were convicted of causing unnecessary suffering and banned from keeping dogs for five years.  Patch was found close to collapse in Suffolk |
In Norfolk, a man under the influence of alcohol and drugs threw a Staffordshire bull terrier cross onto a patio.The injuries were so severe that the dog had to have a hip replaced. Craig Stevenson, 25, of Glaven, King's Lynn, failed to complete a community service order and was sentenced to six weeks in prison. In Suffolk Patch,a two-year-old collie-type dog, was found close to collapse in his owner's back garden. The dog was extremely malnourished. Owner Lisa Clarke, 27, from Ipswich, was banned for life from keeping animals and sentenced to a 150-hour community punishment order. In Cambridgeshire a four-year-old German Shepherd dog was found covered in large, open sores that were bleeding and weeping pus because of a flea infestation. Owners James and Ruth Paterson, of North Street, March, were both given a 12-month conditional discharge and banned from keeping dogs for five years. Images courtesy and copyright of RSPCA
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