CAT cruelty in the county is on the rise, says the RSPCA.

Last year, the number of feline incidents reported to the animal welfare charity reached four figures in West Yorkshire.

The 1,032 total was the highest across the whole of Yorkshire.

Nationally, there were nearly 18,000 cat cruelty complaints and of those, 1,726 were classed as intentional harm incidents, a 25 per cent increase compared to 2022.

The RSPCA has released the figures as part of its "Cancel Out Cruelty" campaign, which aims to raise funds to support its frontline rescue teams.

It is believed that the cost-of-living crisis could be a factor behind the rise.

Dr Sam Gaines, for the RSPCA, says: "Cats are one of the most popular pets in the UK, but our figures suggest that sadly they are the second most abused pet – after dogs.

"It is heartbreaking and appalling to think that five cats every day are suffering at the hands of humans, but sadly the RSPCA knows all too well that this cruelty is carried out on a regular basis.

"We see hundreds of felines come through our doors every year who have been subjected to unimaginable cruelty – being beaten, burned, thrown around, had bones broken, been shot at or poisoned.

"In many cases these pets have been injured deliberately by their owners, the very people who are supposed to love and protect them.

"But cats are also more vulnerable as they tend to be out and about on their own, which can leave them open to airgun attacks and other forms of cruelty by complete strangers."

Beth Clements, the RSPCA's chief inspector for West Yorkshire, says: "It is heartbreaking that we are seeing such sad figures which show animal cruelty is, very sadly, on the rise.

"While we don’t know for certain why there has been an increase, the cost-of-living crisis and the post-pandemic world we now live in have created an animal welfare crisis.

"Each year, these reports reach a terrible annual peak in the summer months.

"The cost-of-living crisis also means the cost of rescuing animals is at an all-time high and our vital services are stretched to the limit.

"Together, we believe we can and will cancel out cruelty to animals by replacing violence with kindness.

"We are urging people to donate to our Cancel Out Cruelty campaign; every donation will help animals."

To support the campaign, visit: rspca.org.uk/cruelty