WILTSHIRE saw the largest increase in allegations of animal cruelty in the south west in the last year, according to new figures from the RSPCA.

A total of 1,704 cases were reported in 2016 as opposed to 1,429 the previous year - showing a rise of more than 19 per cent.

The figures were released yesterday in the RSPCA’s annual review which shed light on the harrowing number of animal cruelty cases across the county including one where a horse was infested by maggots that were eating him alive in Royal Wootton Bassett.

Pub landlord Paul O’Mahony, 42, of Malmesbury Road, admitted causing unnecessary suffering to the pony called Monty by failing to seek veterinary care as a result of fly strike in court last December.

As a result, he was banned from owning horses for two years and was told to pay £1,260 in RSPCA costs and a £250 fine.

RSPCA inspector Dan Hatfield said the death could have been avoided.

He added: “Monty’s owner failed to provide this care which led to him suffering unnecessarily.

“Owners of all animals have a responsibility to provide them prompt veterinary care when it is needed.”

RSPCA inspectors investigated 74 new reports of animal cruelty in south west every day last year with the number of people convicted of animal cruelty offences in the south west standing at 93. A figure which is down from 104 in 2015.

Whereas nationally, the number of new allegations peaked at 400 a day - a total of 148,604 and a rise of nearly five per cent from 2015.

Calls to the RSPCA’s 24-hour cruelty hotline also rose by nearly four per cent, which amounted to more than 1.15m calls last year - averaging one every 27 seconds.

The RSPCA’s leading inspector believes the surge in calls is down to the public becoming less tolerant of animal cruelty, 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 might see these figures as a negative, and I certainly take no cheer from knowing that any animal has suffered but I do take pride in is knowing that because of the RSPCA’s intervention we have prevented more animals from suffering at the hands of those who we have successfully investigated and brought before the courts.

“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.

“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 tens of thousands of animals each year.”