LANCASHIRE is one of the worst counties in the country for inflicting suffering on animals, shock new figures from the RSPCA have revealed.

The animal welfare charity revealed that Lancashire was sixth out of 47 counties for complaints in 2014, with 5,257 received by inspectors.

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And more than 700 of those involved claims of deliberate or violent cruelty, a 23 per cent increase on 2013.

Nationally the RSPCA investigated 159,831 complaints in 2014, compared to 153,770 in 2013.

RSPCA chief veterinary officer James Yeates said: “It is extremely concerning that we are still receiving more than 20,000 complaints about animals being deliberately caused to suffer and that’s 20,000 too many.

“Most of the complaints we receive involve animals being neglected or not receiving the right care and often we can put that right by offering welfare advice.

“However, it is shocking that in 2014 people are still being deliberately cruel in what can be disturbingly inventive ways.”

Horrific examples of cruelty include a cat which had been run over in Lancashire which died after being kicked like a football instead of being helped.

Last year 44 people were convicted of animal cruelty offences, on a total of 85 offences. That’s up from 34 people being convicted of 69 offences the year before.

But the charity said many owners listened to advice given by RSPCA inspectors, with the number of people who were offered and accepted welfare advice increasing from 76,810 in 2013 to 82,746 in 2014.

Mr Yeates said: “Our aim is always to prevent cruelty so it’s really positive that a greater number of people followed our advice.”