 A starving and emaciated Izzie had been left for 22 days |
More than 1,500 animals had to be rescued in the North West, RSPCA statistics have revealed. Eighty-eight people were prosecuted by the charity for animal cruelty, it has also emerged.
The RSPCA is calling for a change in the law, so it can be easier for the organisation to prosecute cruel owners.
David Millard, RSPCA chief in the North said: "In many cases we are powerless to do anything, as the law only allows action when the animal is suffering."
He said all his officers can do in such cases is to give advice to the owners.
 |  Even the most basic needs for animals aren't being met by many people  |
"It is extremely frustrating when the advice isn't taken and we know that, further down the line, we may well be dealing with a case of suffering," he said. "These figures show the widespread problem we face and that even the most basic needs for animals aren't being met by many people.
"We are pleased that a lot of our advice is heeded, but there are still some who refuse to listen to common sense."
In the region, dogs were the most likely animals to be involved in prosecution cases, followed by cats and horses.
'Heinous cruelty'
Some of the cases include a puppy, called Izzie, abandoned in Congleton, Cheshire for at least 22 days and a starved collie pup - Lassie - rescued in Skelmersdale, who was almost half her ideal weight.
One of the most notorious cases of animal cruelty over the past year was when catering student Robert Howsam killed two puppies, called Cuddles and Sandy, by stringing them from a tree in a public park.
The RSPCA says the puppies suffered a horrific death, as they would have been conscious for some time after being hanged.
RSPCA chief inspector Peter Barrett, who led the investigation, said it was "the most heinous act of cruelty" he had ever seen.
Animal ban
"Howsam's actions were frighteningly deliberate and cruel," he added.
Howsam, 29, of Hadfield, Derbyshire, was jailed for six months at Chesterfield Magistrates Court.
It was the maximum term available to the court.
He was also banned from keeping any animal for five years.
The RSPCA is campaigning for a new animal welfare bill to go before parliament, to make it an offence if owners fail to provide a basic level of care for their animal.
| North West RSPCA cases |
|
| Prosecutions | Rescues | Collections | Total complaints |
| Cheshire | 8 | 351 | 2,159 | 2,077 |
| Lancashire and Cumbria | 23 | 369 | 3,687 | 3,279 |
| Greater Manchester | 38 | 556 | 4,963 | 5,639 |
| Merseyside | 19 | 307 | 3,391 | 2,823 |
| TOTAL | 88 | 1,583 | 14,200 | 15,818 |
| Source: RSPCA |
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