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According to new RSPCA figures, Kent saw a large increase in animal cruelty complaints last year.

The county saw 6,075 complaints in 2014, compared to 5,889 in 2013. London was the only place that reported more. Inspectors say they can come across a wide range of cases on a daily basis. Whilst the majority of the cases concerned neglect or fail to provide efficient care, 800 involved deliberate cruelty.

Speaking to KM Online, Edward Halligan, RSPCA inspector said: “Basic neglect is our bread and butter stuff. You get some people who are doing it but the brand they are using simply doesn’t work

“But then we had a man who was caught on his own CCTV beating a dog to bits – that came to court recently. The magistrate said he wouldn’t trust him to look after a goldfish. The footage was just horrific.

“When you knock on the door you go in without any preconceptions. It could be a skinny dog, or a cat with fleas, or it could be an animal that’s just been stabbed.”

RSPCA inspectors say that in the long-term numbers are on the increase, despite there being a slight lowering of animal complaints from 788 in 2013 to 783 in 2014.

My Halligan said many people tried to defend their actions by saying they had no time or money. He said: “If you haven’t got enough money, you probably shouldn’t have a pet”

One of the most shocking cases in which the owner was fined was in Maidstone. A cat was found with a huge infected tumour on her face, eating away at her jaw bone. In another Maidstone case, inspectors had to remove dozens of reptiles from a pet shop after they were found in a declining state of health – many needed treatment.

RSPCA superintendent, Paul Stilgoe said: “Once again we have been shocked by just how vicious people can be to animals – and it seems a large number of these cases are happening here – in this region.

“London is at the top of the list of counties in terms of number of complaints and Kent is not far behind. This is not a list anyone can be proud of leading.

“It is utterly unacceptable that in 2014 people are still being deliberately cruel in what can be disturbingly inventive ways.”