ANIMAL cruelty in the South East has nearly doubled since 1996, according to the RSPCA.

Convictions for cruelty to animals rose from 187 to 395 last year, the Horsham-based charity reported today, the second day of RSPCA Week. Spokesman Jacky Laurie said: "It is incredibly frustrating for our inspectors to continue to see an increase in the number of people found abusing animals and keeping them in appalling conditions. "Looking after an animal involves care, cost and commitment. People should not take on pets if these essential requirements cannot be met." Successful prosecutions last year in Sussex highlighted in the report include the neglect of retired greyhounds by a Whitehawk couple, later banned from keeping animals for ten years. The report also details the starvation of horses at Gucci's Stud Farm in Rusper, near Horsham, by Penny Armstrong, girlfriend of the late Paulo Gucci. Armstrong later admitted causing unnecessary suffering to 11 Arab horses. She was ordered to pay £15,573 compensation to the RSPCA, £5,640 costs and was disqualified from keeping horses for five years. Across the South East in 1997 the RSPCA rescued 641 animals from danger, and took in 12,403 unwanted, sick and injured animals.

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