ANIMAL cruelty is on the increase in Lewisham and Greenwich, according to a new report released by the RSPCA.

The charity has dubbed 2002 "a violent and brutal year" for animals after seeing a rise in sadistic treatment one in 10 prosecutions in the south east involved violence and brutal cruelty.

Despite the overall number of prosecutions in the region falling in 2002, the number of violent attacks was up 11, from 46 to 57, in 2001.

A major case, last year, was that of dog trainer Stephen Barry King aged 42, of Trafalgar Road, Greenwich, convicted of cruelty last September.

King was prosecuted by the RSPCA and banned from keeping dogs after he hanged a terrier by the lead until it lost consciousness as part of its "training".

Responding to the shocking figures, RSPCA London regional superintendent Sean Jones said: "Every year we deal with cases which shock but never before have we seen such a catalogue of horrifying and vicious acts of deliberate cruelty and torture towards defenceless animals."

RSPCA inspector for Greenwich and Lewisham Nigel Peake said although there are cases of malicious treatment of animals in the area, typical problems encountered by him on a daily basis are those caused by neglect.

Inspector Peake said: "It is cases where people are just not thinking about their pets. They don't really sit down and consider how much impact an animal is going to have on their lives.

"Everybody thinks it's their right to have an animal but people have got to accept their pet must come first. If they aren't willing or able to do that, they should not have a pet at all."

The figures were released at the start of the charity's fundraising week. More than 122 RSPCA branches and 200 Tesco stores will be collecting money and carrying out special promotions.

To contact the RSPCA, call the confidential cruelty and advice line on 08705 555999.

April 29, 2003 12:30