THE number of RSPCA animal cruelty investigations rose by more than 5% in the South West in 2016.

The charity investigated 27,019 animal cruelty cases in the South West last year, a rise of more than 5% compared to the previous 12 months.

Devon saw a rise of 8.3% in the number of allegations of animal cruelty, with 3,496 cases investigated in the county. Cornwall saw a 2.6% rise. The number of people convicted of animal cruelty offences in the region was 93, down from 104 in 2015.

Nationally there were 400 allegations of animal cruelty every day in 2016 and 684 people convicted of animal cruelty offences. Calls to the RSPCA’s 24-hour cruelty hotline also rose by nearly 4%, which amounted to more than 1.15million calls last year - averaging one every 27 seconds.

The RSPCA’s leading inspector believes the surge in calls to Britain’s biggest animal welfare charity is down to the public becoming more aware and less tolerant of animal cruelty and neglect, rather than a sign that people are becoming crueler.

Dermot Murphy, assistant director of the RSPCA Inspectorate, said: ‘I believe that the figures from last year show that we’re not becoming crueler, but that people are simply less willing to stand by and do nothing if they think an animal is suffering.

‘People are increasingly likely to share images or footage on their social media accounts of animals they believe are not being cared for properly, while many will see material their friends have shared and then contact us about them.

‘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 across England and Wales that we are able to transform the lives of tens of thousands of animals each year.

‘People might see these figures as a negative, and I certainly take no cheer from knowing that any animal has suffered.

‘What I do take pride in is knowing that because of the RSPCA’s intervention we have prevented many more animals from suffering at the hands of those who we have successfully investigated and brought before the courts.’