The report, which includes shocking stories of animals being starved and abused, says the county saw 51 secure convictions for animal cruelty in 2007, with 31 defendants convicted and three prison sentences handed out. The court also issued eight adult written cautions.

Two case studies specific to Derbyshire were mentioned, including the appalling story of a man who amputated a puppy's tail without anaesthetic.

But there are also some amazing tales of survival. Thanks to vigilant members of the public, the RSPCA has been alerted to some appalling situations in time to rescue animals which have survived against all the odds.

The RSPCA's latest national figures for 2007 expose a:

• 34% increase in convictions for cruelty to dogs (1,197 in 2007)
• 15% increase in convictions for cruelty to cats (277 in 2007) and a
• 12% increase in RSPCA cruelty investigations (137,245 in 2007)

"Many of animals we see are the helpless victims of our throwaway society," says Simon Parker, Acting Regional Superintendent.

"They're bought on a whim and discarded when the novelty wears off. Today's must-have item quickly turns into tomorrow's cast-off.

"At its worst," Simon continues, "this cavalier attitude results in tragedies such as the dog which starved to death while chained to a radiator or the rabbit which died after trying to eat sawdust to stay alive."

But the year has good news, too, with the success of the new Animal Welfare Act already starting to take effect. The new Act – which came into force during 2007 – has made it possible to take action sooner than ever before in situations where there are animal welfare concerns.

The Act is already producing powerful results in its first twelve months. Where animal welfare concerns have prompted the RSPCA to give advice to an animal owner, that advice was followed and the problems resolved 92% of the time, meaning that no further action was necessary.

"Even in these early days, the benefits of the new law are clear," Simon Parker enthuses. "Without the new Act, this year's cruelty figures could have been even more horrific."

Commenting on the 2007 cruelty statistics, Simon observes, "Dogs have always borne the brunt of cruelty – from violent outbursts to extreme neglect. But that's what makes this year's horrendous 34% increase even more shocking: it's a massive increase on an already high figure."

It was hoped that last year's leap in convictions for cruelty to horses was an anomaly. But this year's figures show that the higher numbers have been maintained – they increased by 33% between 2005 and 2006 - and then increased by a further 13% to 119 in 2007.

The rise in banning orders is a big improvement on the previous year, which had actually recorded a fall. The new Animal Welfare Act obliges courts to explain their reasons if they don't impose a ban and this may have contributed to the increase. The new requirement seems to have focused attention on preventative action which can prevent suffering and save lives.

"The main reason we take people to court is to prevent cruelty being repeated," Simon Parker explains. "And it's very reassuring to see the courts taking this seriously by issuing more and more banning orders, which prevent those convicted of cruelty from keeping animals in future."

Nottingham had the highest number of defendants convicted regionally (35), followed by Norfolk and Derbyshire with 33 and 31 respectively. Norfolk had the highest number of convictions secured, at 65.


The two case studies that will shock Derbyshire:

Man imprisoned for docking tail
Inspector Johnson-Hill
Shelton Lock


An eight-week-old puppy was found in August 2006 with a severe wound, haemorrhaging and blood stained fur after his tail was illegally docked.

Diesel, a Jack Russell terrier, was purchased by Melvyn Poxon, 56. However, the breeder felt uneasy about the sale and returned to Poxon's home in Weston Park Avenue, Shelton Lock, Derbyshire, to collect the dog. She then found Diesel in pain and very subdued.

An examining vet discovered that the puppy's tail had been amputated without anaesthetic.

Poxon pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering at Derby Magistrates Court in April 2007. He was sentenced to six weeks in prison and was banned from keeping animals for five years.

The District Judge said: "As this involved such a small and defenceless animal I consider this serious enough to impose a custodial sentence."

RSPCA inspector Edwina Davidson said: "To attempt to amputate a dog's tail without anaesthetic causes a huge amount of pain and distress to the animal involved.

"A dog's tail aids its agility and ability to communicate, and the Animal Welfare Act has since banned even vets from docking dogs' tails for cosmetic purposes."


Twin brothers starved dogs
Inspector Dave McAdam
Chesterfield

A Saluki-type dog named Cleo and a greyhound called Pepper were removed from their 22-year-old owners in June 2007. They were emaciated and a vet found that they had been caused to suffer from starvation for at least six weeks.

Both dogs lived at David Turner's property on Oakamoor Close, Holme Hall, Chesterfield. David's twin brother Mark, of Brockwell Lane, Loundsley Green, Chesterfield, owned Cleo and regularly visited the dogs to walk and feed them.

Pepper was living in filthy conditions and weighed just 18kgs when she was found. Cleo weighed just 15.6kgs. After six weeks in the care of the RSPCA, Pepper put on 6.4kgs and Cleo's weight increased by 5.2kgs.

David and Mark Turner pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to animals at Chesterfield Magistrates Court in November 2007. They were both banned for life from keeping animals and were each ordered to pay £384.02 in costs. David was ordered to serve 200 hours and Mark 140 hours of community service.

RSPCA inspector Dave McAdam said: "These dogs were kept in dirty conditions and were left without food or exercise for often long periods of time.

"Pet owners need to make sure that, if they cannot care for their animals, they seek help from the RSPCA or another animal welfare organisation."