A CAT was drowned in a bucket of water and two pet pigs were starved to death as animal cruelty is on the rise in Sussex according to the RSPCA. 

According to new figures released by the animal rescue charity today animal cruelty cases are on the rise in the county.

In 2014 the number of animal cruelty cases reported to the RSPCA in East Sussex was 2324 while West Sussex saw a total of 2131. 

Incidents included a man who was sent to prison after cutting off tail of eight-week old Jack Russell puppy and then failing to seek veterinary treatment for the open wound. 

Another man was disqualified from keeping dogs for a year after his dog was found with a skin infection and was half the weight he should have been.

A woman from Hailsham was disqualified from keeping animals for five years after two pet pigs were starved to death in an alleyway by her house. 

A 64-year-old man from Crawley was found guilty of inhumanely killing his pet cat by holding him under water in a bucket.

Paul Stilgoe, RSPCA superintendent for the south east, said: “Once again we have been shocked by just how vicious people can be to animals - and it seems a large number of these cases are happening here - in this region.”

He added: “Many of the complaints we receive involve animals being neglected or not receiving the right care and often we can put that right by offering welfare advice. 

“However, it is utterly unacceptable that in 2014 people are still being deliberately cruel in what can be disturbingly inventive ways.”

The numbers are in line with national figures compiled by the charity which have risen for the second year in a row - with 42,433 nationwide.

However as cruelty cases went up the number of animal owners who sought advice from the charity also went up from 76,810 in 2013 to 82,746 in 2014. 

RSPCA chief veterinary officer James Yeates said: “Our aim is always to prevent cruelty so it's really positive that a greater number of people followed our advice. 

“Crucially this means that although we are still receiving complaints about cruelty we are often getting to incidents before suffering has occurred and helping owners to provide for their animals, whether that means getting veterinary care for them or just giving them the right diet.

“Sadly, though, where cruelty is still happening there will be a need to prosecute in the most serious cases and it is upsetting that so many people are still mistreating animals by deliberately causing them harm or by not providing them with the care they deserve.”