Animal cruelty rising in region

One conviction saw cows being kept in poor conditions

Devon and Cornwall have seen an increase in the number of complaints over alleged animal cruelty.

The charity said that in 2004 it received more than 2,700 complaints alleging animal cruelty in Devon, almost 500 more than in 2003.

They led to eight convictions, up from six the year before.

In Cornwall, there were 1,800 complaints, an increase of 220 on 2003 - leading to 11 convictions, the same as the year before.

Day in day out, our inspectors have to stand by and see the death or deterioration of animals Jonathan Silk, RSPCA

The cases included cows from Devon which were emaciated and had untreated injuries, and a dog from Cornwall which was starved to the point that she could barely stand up.

The RSPCA said it wanted the government to strengthen animal cruelty laws, recording a rise of about 78% in cases of owners neglecting animals across the UK.

Jonathan Silk, regional manager for the RSPCA South and South West, said: "We urge the public to write to their MPs calling on them to put pressure on the government to introduce the Animal Welfare Bill as a priority.

"Day in day out, our inspectors have to stand by and see the death or deterioration of animals at risk before the current law will allow them to intervene."

Animals killed

In one of the Devon convictions, a beef farmer was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay £600 in costs for causing unnecessary suffering to his animals.

Paul Kemeny, 61, from Broadbury, Okehampton, pleaded guilty to four charges when he appeared before Cullompton magistrates in October 2004.

RSPCA and Defra inspectors found a number of cows which were being kept in poor conditions and had not received veterinary attention.

They included: an emaciated cow which was found lying in its own excrement and with an abscess of its foreleg; a calf with an untreated leg injury and another cow suffering from chronic mastitis - a painful udder condition.

Several of the animals had to be put down on veterinary advice.