ANIMAL cruelty cases increased in Cheshire last year.

The RSPCA investigated 2,787 complaints in the county during 2017 with eight new animal welfare concerns being looked into every day.

The charity received 1,575 calls about dogs, 582 about cats and 279 calls about equines.

Brett Witchalls, the RSPCA’s chief inspector for the county, said: “Animal cruelty horrifies much of today’s society and this figure tells us that there are suffering animals in the county who need our help every day.

“We are very grateful to everyone who takes the time to raise concerns. A call from a member of the public not only helps to give a voice to animals in desperate need but it helps our officers investigate and help bring animal abusers to justice.

“It is shocking that people can be capable of such deliberate brutality towards animals, but equally it drives us on to ensure that perpetrators of animal cruelty are put before the courts.

“Either way, our officers are under increased pressure having to respond to more calls and investigate more complaints, but it is thanks to their dedication, as well as RSPCA staff and volunteers that we are able to transform the lives of thousands of animals in Cheshire each year.”

Many of the incidents dealt with nationally concerned horses.

In Cheshire 193 calls were received about horses and officers rescued 26 throughout the year.

The RSPCA’s inspectorate national equine co-ordinator Christine McNeil said: “Up and down England and Wales, horses are being found sick, dying or sometimes dead.

“It is frequently the case that they have been abandoned and left to die. This is upsettingly very common and it’s a massive issue - a very sad one at that.

“We are constantly receiving calls to our cruelty line - on average 80 per day about horses - as well as messages every day on social media from very concerned and upset people asking for our help.”

If you are concerned about an animal’s welfare, you can report this to the RSPCA’s cruelty line on 0300 1234 999.