Want the best Nottingham news by 9am every day? Sign up to our newsletter! Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Two kittens being beaten to death and dogs kept in stacked cages are just two examples of nearly 3,000 complaints the RSPCA investigated in Nottinghamshire last year.

The charity's officers looked into 2,902 complaints of animal cruelty in the county in 2017 – eight every day.

However this is down by about eight percent from 2016, when the charity received 3,157 reports.

They have also released some examples of the horrific cases inspectors dealt with.

In one case, two four-month-old kittens were beaten to death by their owner.

According to the charity, their injuries were consistent with being pinned to the floor and beaten.

A vet expert told the court injuries to their claws could have been caused by them scrabbling on a hard surface and "trying to get away".

Aaron Barker, then 26, of Songthrush Avenue, Basford, was found guilty by Nottingham Magistrates in December of killing the kittens and was jailed for 20 weeks.

RSPCA Laura Kirkham said: "This was the most horrific case I have dealt with in almost 13 years as an RSCPA inspector.

"From the moment I was made aware of the injuries on both kittens, I have spent many sleepless nights thinking about the horrifying ordeal that they were put through.

"In no circumstances is this kind of assault defensible."

In another case inspectors discovered a Nottinghamshire home where 40 animals - 30 dogs as well as parrots and cats - were being kept in cages described as "prison cells".

(Image: RSPCA)

They were stacked on top of each other with no food, water, blankets or toys, with inspectors describing the smell as "disgusting".

Five of the dogs had to put down and a young puppy died from natural causes, with the rest in RSPCA care or rehomed, according to the charity.

Across the county most calls received related to dogs (1,702), followed by cats (737) and then horses (281).

Nationally 141,760 complaints about animal welfare were investigated in 2017.

Simon Parker, the RSPCA’s chief inspector for the county, said: “Animal cruelty horrifies much of today’s society and eight new complaints daily shows us that there are suffering animals in the county who need our help every day.

“We are very grateful to the people who contact us, who cannot turn a blind eye to animal cruelty.

WARNING: Distressing images

Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now

“It is shocking that people can be capable of such deliberate brutality towards animals, but equally it drives us on to ensure that perpetrators of animal cruelty are put before the courts.

“Either way, 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 thousands of animals in Nottinghamshire each year.

"We urge the public to keep reporting concerns to us on our cruelty helpline number - 0300 1234 999 - which operates 24 hours a day. Don’t be afraid to call - we will always do our best to respond as quickly as we can.”