AN animal lover has pledged never to donate money to the RSPCA after she claims she was spoken to "like an idiot" when trying to report an alleged cruelty case.

Barbara Armstrong contacted the charity when she became concerned about six horses, which she claims had been left to starve in a muddy field.

But when she rang the RSPCA for help she was told there was nothing they could do as the animals were not suffering enough.

"How much does an animal have to suffer before they get involved. Does it have to be near death?" said Mrs Armstrong, aged 53, of Lulsley, Knightwick.

"When I pointed out to the woman I had seen the RSPCA at work on TV programmes such as Pet Rescue she said that was 'just sentimental rubbish' and I was spoken to like an idiot."

Mrs Armstrong, who has two cats, is now writing a letter of complaint and says she will never donate money to the charity again.

"I have had animals all my life and regularly gave money to them but this has really upset me.

"I am so concerned about the horses I have started feeding them bales of hay as there isn't a shred of grass in the field.

"They are getting very thin and have started to hang their heads which is very upsetting to see.

"All I wanted the RSPCA to do was go and speak to the owner to ensure these horses did not have to suffer any longer.

"It was a disgrace the way I was spoken to - I had an old fashioned idea that this charity was supposed to help animals and educate the public."

"We would not be the world's largest animal charity if we had an attitude Mrs Armstrong claims that we have," said Jo Cunningham, RSPCA regional Press officer.

"It was a very emotive conversation and Mrs Armstrong was not prepared to accept our explanation of what we were doing for the horses.

"Our inspector denies being rude to her.

"We are aware of the six thoroughbred horses and we are in regular contact with the owner and keeping an eye on the animals."