RSPCA has 29,000 complaints of animal cruelty in Wales

More than 29,000 complaints of animal cruelty were investigated by the RSPCA in Wales last year, new figures show.

Across Wales and England, almost 160,000 cruelty complaints were investigated, a rise of more than 10% compared to 141,280 in 2009.

In Wales The charity also issued 15,020 owners with welfare improvement advice, rescued and collected 21,394 animals, microchipped 855 and rehomed 2008 pets.

The figures have been released during RSPCA Week.

More than 86,000 animal owners in Wales and England received welfare improvement advice from the RSPCA iast year, to help them improve the way they care for their pets.

This was up by more than 10,000 compared to 76,199 the previous year.

In addition, 92% of people who received warning notices from RSPCA inspectors chose to follow them rather than risk possible prosecution, resulting in much-improved lives for thousands of animals.

The charity had to rescue fewer animals in 2010 and saw a decrease in pets needing rehoming.

The RSPCA's David Bowles said: "The RSPCA is and has always been proactive in preventing cruelty and suffering to animals.

"This is why it is such an achievement that more than 90% of animal owners chose to follow the welfare advice offered by our officers.