A RISING tide of cruelty and neglect against animals is stretching the RSPCA to breaking point, chief executive Gavin Grant has warned.
The number of people convicted for cruelty offences rose by nearly a quarter in England and Wales last year, according to figures announced by the charity this week.
On Merseyside 65 people were reported for animal abuse last year, leading to 35 convictions.
Across the north west 529 people were convicted for cruelty and neglect, compared with 471 in 2010 – a rise of 12.3%.
More than 450 people were disqualified from keeping animals, against 415 in 2010 – and increase of 10.3%.
A total of 22 prison sentences were imposed by courts, compared with 19 the previous year.
But the overall number of people reported to the RSPCA prosecutions department fell from 1,127 to 1069.
Cases being highlighted ahead of the charity’s major fundraising push, RSPCA Week 2012, include a dog repeatedly stabbed with a potato peeler, and a dog that ate her dead mate to survive after being abandoned in a flat.
Mr Grant said: "The RSPCA faces a crisis that is stretching us to breaking point.
"We show zero tolerance to animal abusers. Anyone causing animals pain for profit or pleasure will be tracked down and prosecuted.
"We need the courts and councils, police and people who care to join us in standing up and getting justice for Britain’s abused animals."
Mike Hogg, Northwest regional manager, said: "The RSPCA strives to keep animals with their owners wherever possible and offers advice on improving their welfare.
"Overwhelmingly this advice is followed, but where it isn't, or where someone has already harmed an animal there has to be a way of ensuring that animals are not left to suffer and the RSPCA is the charity people turn to – and we are struggling to continue providing this service.
"We work closely with governmental and other charitable organisations, but we are the main organisation which prosecutes those who abuse animals and which can prevent cruelty to animals.
"We can't do this without the help and support of the public and we need it now more than ever."
RSPCA Week 2012 runs from April 30 to May 6.
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