This dog weighed less than half its normal body weight

Animal cruelty cases in the South West have risen for the first time for five years.

New figures released by the RSPCA reveal the charity dealt with more than 7,500 complaints of animal cruelty in the region in the last year and nearly 1,000 animals were rescued.

There has also been an increase in the number of people going to prison for animal cruelty offences, but a reduction in the number of prosecutions.

In 2002 one in every 10 prosecutions involved a violent or brutal act on an animal.

If you can't afford to look after them, don't get them in the first place Janet Kipling, RSPCA

Dogs, rabbits, cats and even exotic pets were found dumped in lay-bys or in boxes and bags last year.

And although the charity said it was "heartened" to see a fall in numbers of cases prosecuted, convictions rose to 57 compared with the previous year's 46.

Prison sentences included three months given to a Cornish man convicted of dog fighting.

And prosecutions included a Devon couple who kept their animals in squalid filth amongst the carcasses of other creatures, four members of the same family who let two dogs starve and the owner of a dog whose paws were so badly infected she could not walk on a hard surface.

"In Devon and Cornwall we have seen cases involving neglect to an horrific degree," said Janet Kipling from the charity.

"And something we are keen to highlight, yet again, is that if you can't afford to look after them, don't get them in the first place."