A CAT was drowned in a bucket of water and two pet pigs were starved to death as animal cruelty shot up across Sussex last year.

The RSPCA released the “disturbing” figures this week which showed the county is in line with the national trend of rising numbers of animal cruelty cases.

In 2014 the number of incidents reported to the RSPCA in East Sussex stood at 2,324 while in West Sussex it was 2,131.

The previous year there were 1,986 in East Sussex and 1,987 in West Sussex.

Among the incidents reported include a man who was sent to prison after cutting off the tail of an eight-week old Jack Russell puppy named Jack. He then failed to seek veterinary treatment for the open wound. The young dog was found with a bandage around his tail and all but two inches had been sliced off. The dog was subsequently adopted by the RSPCA’s Inspector Andrew Kirby.

Elsewhere two pet pigs were discovered starved in an alleyway by the side of a house in Hailsham in what Inspector Kirby called a “heartbreaking case of neglect”.

One of them was already dead and the second had to be put down by a vet who described their state as “emaciated”.

A post mortem examination discovered there was hardly any food in their stomachs.

A pet cat was drowned by its owner after the tabby had been suffering with diarrhoea without any veterinary treatment.

Inspector Kirby said: “Her owner took the decision to kill her in a completely inhumane way. Being held under the water like this is a horrible way for an animal to die.”

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

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.

“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 which have been compiled by the charity. They have gone up for a second year in a row – with 42,433 reports nationwide.

Jack the puppy

RSPCA officers were called after receiving concerns about a black and white puppy, called Jack.

They found the young dog with a bandage around his tail and in obvious pain. He was taken to the vets and they found a raw wound about two inches from the tail base, with the rest of the tail removed. The vet said it was a very clean-cut and must have been made with a sharp tool.

Jack was eventually re-homed with RSPCA inspector Kirby.

He said: “Jack was very quiet and subdued when I found him which is hardly surprising if you think about what he had gone through.

“But he soon came out of his shell and is such a lovely little dog despite everything – and I really took his case to heart, so much so that I decided to adopt him myself. I just wanted to give him a happy home so he can forget his tough start in life.”

Zac the dog

WHEN the RSPCA found Zac he had a terrible skin infection, which had left him with bald patches, sores and scabs all over the back end of his body, as well as overgrown nails and fleas.

RSPCA inspector Alison Edwards said: “He was terribly emaciated – less than half the weight he should have been. When I found him he weighed just 11kg whereas he is now a happy 26kg, his proper weight.

“He is such a sweet-natured dog and I felt so sad when I first met him. He was so flat – he seemed depressed to me.

“I am so pleased he has now found a happy new home. He really deserves his happy ending.”

A 33-year-old man from Hastings appeared at Hastings Magistrates' Court in December for sentencing in relation to Zac. As well as the disqualification, he was given a 12-month community order with 60 hours’ unpaid work and had to pay £300 costs.