More animal cruelty calls were made to the RSPCA emergency line in Wales last summer, new figures show – as the charity warned it is "busier than ever" rescuing animals.

The animal welfare charity launched its Summer Cruelty Campaign, as reports of animal abuse peak in the summer months.

RSPCA figures show 1,884 cruelty calls to the charity's emergency line were for incidents reported in Wales in June, July and August last year – a 4% increase on 1,807 calls in the summer of 2023.

As part of the campaign, the RSPCA is sharing recent cases of animal cruelty seen across the country.

Earlier this year, a cat called Dudley was shot by an air gun in South Wales. The pellet had shattered his hip and was stuck in between the muscle of his back left leg.

As a result he had to have his back left leg amputated. An appeal was launched to try and find evidence to prove this would have been a deliberate attack.

Across England and Wales, the RSPCA took 34,401 cruelty calls to their emergency line in the summer months last year. It marked a 33% increase on 25,887 calls the year before.

On average, it took 374 reports of cruelty against animals every single day during this period.

Singer and Britain's Got Talent judge Alesha Dixon, who is supporting the charity's campaign, said the rise in calls is "shocking and heartbreaking".

She added: "I hope supporting their Summer Cruelty Appeal will raise awareness of the amazing work the RSPCA's staff and volunteers carry out daily while raising vital funds so they continue transforming the lives of so many animals in need."

The charity said it fears the surge in animal cruelty is partly due to a "fall-out" following increased pet ownership during the Covid-19 pandemic, alongside the longer days allowing more people to witness incidents of abuse.

RSPCA Chief Inspector Ian Briggs said: "We are seeing a shocking rise in the number of seasonal calls reporting animal cruelty to our emergency line.

"Sadly, the summer months tend to be when these reports peak which is leading to a welfare crisis."

He added: "This year we fear the trend will continue and we are already busier than ever rescuing animals from many awful situations.

"Many are broken by violence – not just physically but mentally – and our dedicated network of branches, animal centres and rescue teams work wonders in nursing them back to health and showing them how love can help transform their lives."