THE RSPCA received 200 reports of cat cruelty cases last year - or three every minute.

Nationally, there were around 18,000 cases with five a day said to be intentional harm incidents.

The RSPCA defines cruelty cases as abandonments or neglect whereas, intentional harm is classed as attempted killing, poisonings, beatings or improper killing.

Cruelty to animals 'peaks in the summer months' with the cost-of-living crisis also said to contribute.

Head of the RSPCA’s companion animal department, Dr Sam Gaines, said figures suggest that cats have become the second most abused animal, after dogs.

“We see hundreds of felines come through our doors every year who have been subjected to unimaginable cruelty - being beaten, burned, thrown around, had bones broken, been shot at, poisoned and drowned,” Dr Gaines said.

“In many cases, these pets have been injured deliberately by their owners - the very people who are supposed to love and protect them.

“But cats are also more vulnerable as they tend to be out and about on their own which can leave them vulnerable to airgun attacks and other forms of cruelty by complete strangers.”

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RSPCA chief inspector for Dorset, Lewis Taylor, said that animal cruelty cases are rising on a massive scale across the UK.

“While we don’t know for certain why there has been an increase, the cost of living crisis and the post-pandemic world we live in has created an animal welfare crisis,” said Mr Taylor.

“Each year, these reports reach its terrible annual peak in the summer months.

“The cost-of-living crisis also means the cost of rescuing animals is at an all-time high and our vital services are stretched to the limit.

“Together, we believe we can and will cancel out cruelty to animals by replacing violence with kindness.

“We are urging people to donate to our Cancel Out Cruelty campaign, every donation will help animals.”

Donations can be made via the RSPCA website.