There has been an almost 12 per cent increase in animal neglect reports this year in Wales according to the RSPCA.
The charity fears the problem is about to get worse as more pet owners face financial hardship this Christmas.
Across Gwent the figures were: Blaenau Gwent 88 neglect incidents in 2023 between January and September, 102 in the same period in 2024; Caerphilly 155 (2023), 195 (2024); Monmouthshire 104 (2023), 81 (2024); Newport 124 (2023), 128 (2024); and Torfaen 42 (2023), and 67 (2024).
In Wales 3,163 incidents of animal neglect were reported from January to September this year which compared to 2,822 for 2023 for the same time period – a 12 per cent rise.
Across England and Wales the animal welfare charity said that between January and September 2024 its emergency cruelty line recorded 48,814 incidents of neglect, up from 38,977 for the same period in 2023 – a 25 per cent year-on-year increase.