VIOLENCE against animals is soaring, says the RSPCA.

Latest figures from the charity reveal that 2002 was a "brutal year" with the number of prison sentences for violence towards animals rising from 46 to 57.

The RSPCA says one in every 10 prosecutions in the west central region, which covers Worcestershire, was for a violent or brutal act.

"Every year we deal with cases that shock, but never before have we seen such a catalogue of horrifying and vicious acts of deliberate cruelty and torture towards defenceless animals," said Stephen Mulholland, regional manager for the RSPCA.

The charity also investigated 13,302 complaints, gave 459 verbal warnings, made 5,542 visits and collected 23,400 animals.

A flea-ridden puppy found cowering in a cage in Worcester is just one of the many abused animals rescued by the charity in the past year.

RSPCA inspector Julia Sly was called to investigate a complaint at the home of Thomas Wilmott, in Barnes Way, St Peter's, Worcester, last July.

She noticed some movement in a ferret cage and, lifting the lid, found a cowering eight-month-old Jack Russell covered in sores.

As she drove off with the dog, Wilmott flagged her down and offered to shoot it.

The pup, Peanut, was taken to a vet and found to be suffering from mange with sore, ulcerated skin and significant hair loss.

And at Worcester Crown Court in August last year, Wilmott was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to the dog by failing to get veterinary treatment. He was conditionally discharged for two years and ordered to pay £250 costs.

Peanut made a full recovery and has been re-homed.

Inspector Sly said: "Peanut was in a very sorry state when I found him, but now he is a different dog completely.

"He is a happy little dog who loves running around. It is lovely to see him settled."

Strays problem

getting worse, says warden

EVESHAM has been hit by a dramatic surge in the number of stray dogs, with almost as many on the loose in the town during April as there were throughout the whole of the Wychavon district a month earlier.

The scale of the problem is becoming as bad as it is at Christmas - the worst time for dogs to be left roaming the streets - according to Wychavon District Council's dog warden, Pip Singleton.

She said 12 strays had been caught in Evesham during April, compared to 13 in Wychavon in March. "It's the worst area in Wychavon at the moment," she explained.

"There's been a huge increase in strays in April," she added. "I don't know why it's increased, other than the kids have been off school."

Heatwave

She also thought the heatwave around the Easter period might have been a factor.

"We don't know whether it is because of the hot weather and more dogs going on outings which is responsible for the increase," she said, "It may be that families have new pets, which can be demanding, and are having trouble coping with them."

"It's getting to the stage where it's worse than Christmas, which is our busiest time of year."

Dogs could also be micro-chipped to be reunited with owners if they went missing.

Ring Wychavon's environmental health team, on 01386 565249, for more information.