Dozens of animals being hurt or killed

A Freedom Of Information request has revealed the extent of mutilation crimes against animals dealt with by the police across the country.

In once case children attacked birds with a catapult and in another somebody used an axe to kill five pet chickens and a cockerel.

A 2010 incident saw an intruder break into the back garden of a house and disemboweled the family pet rabbit, and in 2008 the mane and tail were cut from a horse by thugs.

A spokesman for the RSPCA said: “Generally many of the calls we get purporting to be mutilation do turn out to have a more usual explanation, so thankfully such instances are extremely rare.

“The RSPCA would urge anyone who cannot look after a pet to rehome it to a suitable home, either an animal charity, rehoming centre or to ask friends or family who have suitable facilities to look after it.”

He added: “There is no excuse for dumping or harming an animal and if found guilty you could face a £20,000 fine or a possible six months imprisonment.

“There are cases sadly where people do harm animals, either by beating, kicking or drowning animals and in those cases the RSPCA will be involved in bringing such cruelty cases to court.”

In 2010 former chef Mohammed Miah caused outrage in Bedford when he choked a swan to death on The Embankment and just last week Bedfordshire Police issued an appeal after a rabbit was found drowned in the River Great Ouse still in its hutch.

The RSPCA says anyone who suspects crime has been committed against an animal should contact Beds Police.