'Shocking' Rise In Cruelty To Animals

22 April 2015, 07:22 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

Animal cruelty has gone up in the East Midlands.

The RSPCA dealt with more than 9,600 reports in Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire and Derbyshire last year.

In Leicestershire, a dog was found starved with just a tea bag in his stomach.

'Cruel in what can be disturbingly inventive ways'

RSPCA chief veterinary officer James Yeates told Capital:

'It is extremely concerned that we are still receiving more than 20,000 complaints about animals being deliberately caused to suffer.

'Most of the complaints we receive involved animals being neglected or not receiving the right care and often we can put that right by offering welfare advice.

'However it is shocking that in 2014 people are still being deliberately cruel in what can be disturbingly inventive ways.'