A cat left standing in its own excrement was one of 2,588 animal cruelty complaints investigated by the RSPCA in Norfolk last year.
The charity's annual animal cruelty statistics – published today – ranked Norfolk as the '4th cruellest county' in the south east.
Cases investigated last year included a grey tabby cat which was left inside a puppy crate for up to a month at a time.
Inspectors found the animal's litter tray 'overflowing' with faeces and it had been left with little water.
Another case resulted in a lame horse being put down. The charity said the animal was in poor condition and was finding it difficult to walk due to its overgrown hooves. The owners of both animals were later sentenced in court and fined.
Kathryn Parfitt, the charity's chief inspector covering Norfolk, said: 'Our officers are still stretched to the limits as we try to help all the suffering, sick and dying animals in our county.
'Even though I have been with the RSPCA for a very long time now, I am still shocked and saddened by the awful incidents of cruelty which our officers are dealing with day in and day out.'
The RSPCA said Norfolk was ranked 21 out of 47 counties in England in regard to the number of animal cruelty complaints received last year.
It said the most calls received in Norfolk related to dogs (1,410 calls), followed by cats (682), and equines (251).
In Suffolk, there were 1,780 complaints investigated.
Nationally, it investigated 141,760 complaints about animal welfare in 2017, with Greater London being the source of the most complaints at 11,259.
It was followed by Greater Manchester at 7,472, and then West Yorkshire at 6,969.
Across England and Wales, 388 new cases of animal cruelty were investigated every day.
The charity said it received 1,037,435 calls to its 24-hour cruelty line in 2017.
It said 76,460 advice and improvement notices were issued nationally, and 696 people were prosecuted.
If you are concerned about an animal's welfare, report it to the RSPCA's on 0300 1234 999.
Do you know of animals being kept in poor conditions? Email luke.powell@archant.co.uk
Cat left standing in excrement
A cat owner admitted leaving his pet inside a cage for 'two or three weeks' while away on business, the RSPCA said.
The charity was called after engineers found the grey tabby, called Florence, within a puppy-style crate in the kitchen of a flat.
The RSPCA said the litter tray was 'overflowing' with faeces, there was a very small amount of dirty water in a pan and no food.
When she was left for too long, the charity said she would eventually end up standing in her own excrement.
Police seized the cat and she was taken to a vet.
Despite feeling bony to the touch and her collar being too tight, she was found to be in good health.
The owner declined to sign the cat over to the RSPCA or rehome her.
Following a court hearing, the cat was rehomed.
The previous owner was sentenced at Norwich Magistrates' Court for two animal welfare act offences and disqualified from keeping cats for two years.
Horse unable to walk properly
A horse that was left unable to walk properly due to her overgrown hooves had to be put down.
RSPCA inspector Dean Astillberry said the animal was reluctant to move due to her hooves and had difficulty trying to spread her weight.
The owner said the horse, which was being kept in Norfolk, had been lame for around a month, and while she had been given tumeric, she had not bee seen by a vet or farrier.
A vet, called by the RSPCA, recommended for the horse to be put to sleep to end her suffering.
Mr Astillberry said: 'I can honestly say that I have never seen a horse in such discomfort as this poor mare - it was like she was trying to only put pressure on the front of her hoof.'
The horse's owners both pleaded guilty to one offence under the animal welfare act. They were disqualified from keeping horses for three years, fined £200 and ordered to pay costs of £150 and a £30 victim surcharge.
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