Dog forced to eat dead pals

A starving dog forced to eat its dead companions and a horse with hooves three-and-a-half foot long were among a rising number of abuse cases investigated by the RSPCA, the animal charity said on Wednesday

The RSPCA said its figures for 2006 showed there had been a "shocking catalogue of crimes against animals" but said the new animal rights law was helping to cut the overall number of animals that suffered.

Pet owners became legally liable for the welfare of their animals for the first time under stringent new anti-cruelty laws that came into force this Spring.

"Many front line inspectors are reporting that people are responding well to the new law, and increasingly we are able to prevent animal suffering before it begins," said Jackie Ballard, the RSPC's director general.

Offences against cats and dogs were down by 9.5 and 15.6 per cent respectively, although there was a rise in cruelty cases against horses and ponies.

The annual statistics showed there had been an 10.5 per cent increase in the number of cruelty investigations, a 7.6 per cent rise in the number of animals rescued or collected, and a 9 per cent rise in court orders banning offenders keeping pets. MORE>>