The coronavirus lockdown is not stopping animal cruelty, the RSPCA has said, after it reported attending hundreds of incidents across Wales in the month after it began.

RSPCA Cymru dealt with 1,641 animal welfare incidents in the month following the nation entering lockdown.

And 50 of those were in Powys, the animal charity confirmed.

Martyn Hubbard, RSPCA Cymru superintendent, said: “Animal cruelty has not stopped for the coronavirus. There are still countless animals across the country in urgent need of help – and these new figures show, since the lockdown, our rescuers have been supporting animals in all parts of Wales.

“Our teams are still out and about rescuing animals in urgent need of care. Rescuers have dealt with almost 1,650 incidents in Wales alone in the last month - an average of more than 50 each and every day.

“And while our animal centres may be closed due to the crisis - they continue to tend to 170 rescue animals all hours of the day; often animals who have escaped the more extreme neglect, cruelty or abandonment.

“But our resources are under huge strain and vital funding is needed to keep our rescue teams out on the road, and our centres and veterinary services providing for animals.

“We know that this is a difficult time for everyone but we must still be here for animals who are suffering and we are appealing for animal lovers to give whatever they can to help us.”

The charity has released the figures as part of its emergency appeal, launched to keep its rescue teams out on the road during the Coronavirus crisis and continuing to reach and rescue animals most in need.

In total, across England and Wales, RSPCA rescuers have dealt with 21,137 animal welfare incidents between 23 March and 23 April – including many involving cruelty and suffering animals who need help.

In Powys, officers recently dealt with the killing of three red kites near Newtown.

Among the incidents dealth with elsewhere in Wales were a swan at Pen-Y-Fan Pond, which had a lot of fishing wire around its back and legs, and two baby mice who were rescued from behind a shed in Swansea and hand-reared by staff.