Staffordshire Terrier Rex was thrown down a flight of stairs in York

West Yorkshire came out worse in the table, with 5,795 complaints investigated and 156 convictions.

In South Yorkshire, there were 3,592 complaints investigated and 40 convictions, while 47 convictions were secured in North and East Yorkshire.

A spokesman said 2005 would go down as one of the most violent toward animals.

Across the north of England a total of 34,171 complaints were investigated last year, compared with 22,095 in the eastern region, the charity said.

Examples of ill-treatment and neglect prosecuted by the RSPCA in Yorkshire last year included a dog left to starve in a bedroom in Doncaster, a mum who strangled a six-week-old puppy in Bradford and a dog thrown down a concrete stairwell and blinded in York.

Alan Wolinski, regional manager for the RSPCA in the North, said: "Sadly, despite our best efforts, there are those who continue to ignore our messages and treat animals with brute force instead of compassion.

"The cases highlighted today show why the RSPCA will continue to prosecute those who feel they are doing nothing wrong when harming an animal.

"On a more positive note, it is heartening to see how many of these cruelty victims enjoy new and happy lives once they are rehomed by our dedicated staff up and down the country."