THOUSANDS of complaints of "unimaginable cruelty" against animals were made to the RSPCA in Gwent in 2018, with the number of prosecutions made by the charity at a five-year high.

The charity investigated 2,283 complaints in Gwent last year - up from 1,950 the year before. In total across Wales there were 10,856 investigations in 2018, compared with 10,176 in 2017.

The RSPCA has said video footage posted on social media has played a key role in this figure - the highest in five years.

Caerphilly county borough had the highest number of complaints investigated, with 643 in 2018 and 544 in 2017. Newport followed, with 494 in 2018 and 520 in 2017.

Torfaen, meanwhile, had 392 in 2018 and 323 in 2017. Blaenau Gwent had 362 in 2018 and 240 in in 2017. And Monmouthshire had 392 complaints investigated in 2018 and 323 in 2017.

Last year the charity secured 164 convictions against 80 defendants - including thee youths - in Magistrates' Courts in Wales - up from 148 in 2017, 120 in 2016, 89 in 2015, and 114 in 2014.

A further 41 people were cautioned by RSPCA in 2018.

RSPCA Cymru superintendent Martyn Hubbard described the cases investigated last year, many which were caught on camera, as "shocking, disturbing, and upsetting".

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Among them was a "senseless killing" caught on CCTV, in which a dog was set on a cat.

In another, two men were given a suspended jail term for posting a video on social media of them using a cat like a rugby ball.

Two men were imprisoned, with another handed a suspended sentence, and a youth given a referral order for their barbaric treatment of badgers, revealed by surveillance footage.

And another man was sent to prison for 22 weeks after a mobile phone video showed him hitting a badger with a spade while it was baited by four dogs.

Four dogs attacking a badger

Mr Hubbard said: “In 2018, our inspectorate dealt with some unimaginable cruelty - with some truly shocking, disturbing and upsetting cases captured on camera."

He added: “Our message is clear - we will not tolerate animal cruelty in Wales.

“Nevertheless, prosecution is generally a last resort for the RSPCA - the vast majority of RSPCA work is improving animal welfare by giving advice to owners.

"In 2018 the number of animal owners who were offered and accepted welfare advice numbered 5,940.

“Put simply, there is no excuse for animal cruelty and RSPCA Cymru will continue to ensure animal welfare laws are adhered to in all corners of the country.”

To contact the RSPCA Cymru with any animal welfare concerns call 0300 1234 999.

Calls are anonymous and in confidence.