COMPLAINTS about animal cruelty have risen in Oxfordshire, with inspectors investigating almost four new cases every day.

Shocking figures released by the RSPCA show the charity received 1,326 complaints in 2017, up from the 1,299 received the previous year.

In particular the plight of horses is being highlighted by the organisation in what it calls an 'ongoing equine crisis' with officers called out to attend to abandoned sick or dying horses nearly every day.

A lack of stables and funding is making it difficult for the charity to keep the large number of horses it has had to take in.

Cases of cruelty in Oxfordshire included a hamster who was found covered in cigarette burns with stones stuffed in his mouth in Witney and a dead terrier who was dumped in a bag in Banbury.

In Oxford, a cat had to have his leg amputated after being found hanging from a 15ft tree with a trap attached to his leg.

Elsewhere, in Bicester, Barney Bloom and his partner Jemma Bloom, of Hudson Street, were prosecuted and banned from keeping dogs for 10 years after their pet, Hooch, was left to starve in a squalid outhouse.

Police called the RSPCA with concerns for the dog's welfare and he was found neglected and starving.

The pair admitted causing unnecessary suffering to a dog and were given prison sentences, with Mr Bloom jailed for 12 weeks and Mrs Bloom eight weeks, suspended for a year.

Despite initially recovering from his mistreatment, Hooch was later put down because of medical issues. 

Inspector Lauren Bailey said: “When I first saw Hooch he was at the police station and I was moved by how loving he was. 

"He was so skinny, dirty, and neglected but had so much time for everyone he met.

"It was heartbreaking to see a dog that had not been shown any love himself still offer love unconditionally to others.

"He had sadly been left without food and water in a dirty outhouse. He was very underweight with all his ribs showing. 

“The neglect he experienced could have been easily avoided but he was simply left to suffer without the care he needed and deserved.”

In Oxfordshire the RSPCA received 219 complaints about 718 horses which it said has left animal rescuers 'struggling to cope.'

The charity will this year place a renewed focus on solving the horse crisis, which it first highlighted in 2012, after there were no signs of it easing. 

Owners are resorting to 'fly-tipping' the animal rather than pay expensive vets bills when their horse gets ill.

As soon as one horse is re-homed, there is another waiting to fill its space in the stable and the RSPCA is having to pay for private boarding for the majority of animals taken in. 

Nationally, the charity said it has investigated 141,760 complaints which can lead to prosecutions, welfare advice or no further action. 

RSPCA chief inspector for Oxford Rob Hartley said: “It’s shocking to see the cruelty suffered by animals at the hands of heartless people with no care for the welfare of animals.

“Last year saw a rise in the number of calls we’ve received from members of the public in Oxfordshire, and while it is saddening to think there are so many animals in need of our help we are very grateful to everyone who takes the time to raise concerns.

"A call from a member of the public not only helps to give a voice to animals in desperate need but it helps our officers investigate and help bring animal abusers to justice.”