Prosecutions for animal cruelty in Powys have increased by 26% in the past twelve months, new figures show.

A total of 625 complaints were investigated by animal welfare organisation the RSPCA in 2018, the fifth highest number of any area in the country.

And according to RSPCA officers, offences in Wales have hit a five year high, with the number of cases going to court approaching double the amount compared with 2015.

RSPCA Cymru’s superintendent Martyn Hubbard said his team had dealt with "horrifying" acts of cruelty over the past 12 months.

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

"These new statistics show a five-year high for RSPCA prosecution activity in Wales - with some of the deliberate, horrifying cruelty, and mindless acts of abuse, dealt with by our dedicated officers frankly unbelievable.

"These figures demonstrate all the hard work from the RSPCA’s frontline officers. Our message is clear - we will not tolerate animal cruelty in Wales."

The complaints resulted in 164 convictions relating to a total of 80 defendants, including three youth defendants. This is a rise on the 67 convicted in the previous year. A further 41 offenders were cautioned by the animal welfare charity in 2018.

The RSPCA say social media is playing an increasing part in securing convictions, with offenders caught in the act on camera - or even openly filming themselves harming animals, with CCTV footage, videos from social media and surveillance from the RSPCA's special operations unit all key in bringing animal abusers to justice.

"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," added Superintendent Hubbard.

"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.”

"Once again we’d like to thank the members of public for being our eyes and ears - out in the communities across Wales and also online; reporting animal suffering to us. Without them and the evidence they provide we wouldn’t be able to do what we do."

Out of the 164 convictions secured in 2018, 91 related to dogs, 37 to cats and 21 to horses, with a further 15 unspecified.