The RSPCA received 382 reports of cruelty to dogs in Oxfordshire in 2023, shocking figures from the animal charity shows.

Nationally, the RSPCA received 52,662 reports about cruelty to dogs - around 144 a day - compared to 48,567 in 2022 - an increase of 8 per cent in just one year.

Chris Sherwood, chief executive of the animal charity, said: “It is heartbreaking that more dogs need our help - we need to make a stand against this and say ‘no more’.

“Dogs are supposed to be man’s best friend, yet more and more dogs are being subjected to cruelty every year. Dogs are the most popular pet in the UK yet also the ones who potentially suffer the most.

READ MORE: Zombie-knife amnesty scheme starts in Oxford and Banbury

“We would love to see, next year, cruelty going down. We know we can’t do this alone - so our purpose is for everyone to work together to create a kinder world for animals."

Chihuahua Dolly was rescued by the RSPCA after being subjected to deliberate cruelty.

When her previous owner took her to the vets with multiple injuries, they claimed that all were accidental - but the vet was concerned that what they were being told wasn’t the truth.

When the vet placed Dolly on the floor near her owner to assess her movement, she immediately ran towards the vet and hid behind her legs, shivering, crouching very low to the ground and had her tail between her legs.

Despite the owner calling her to come to him, this happened repeatedly from different points in the room. The vet contacted the RSPCA to investigate.

Shockingly, X-rays revealed she had a broken rib, a fracture to her third vertebrae indicative of a tail pull injury and a dislocated tail. The X-rays also showed skull injuries and her dew claws had been ripped out.

Dolly, who was rescued by the RSPCA in Yorkshire, had extensive bruising and swelling to her lips and muzzle area where the skin had begun to slough off. She had a cut on both the upper lip and the bridge of her nose. She was also found to have blood in her bladder.

READ MORE: Wanted  man arrested over drug-driving charges

Her owner pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to Dolly and was banned from keeping animals for life.

Today, Dolly has a whole new life with her new owner, Lucy Green - who also works as an RSPCA inspector.

Former RSPCA Inspector Alice Cooper, who investigated the case, said: “It was heartbreaking to think of what Dolly had suffered, and I was determined to get justice for Dolly and hopefully prevent any other animals from suffering at the hands of her owner.

“As an RSPCA Inspector, you regularly have to deal with traumatic situations. You get well practised in dulling your own emotions, putting on the professional facade and getting the job done. I think Dolly’s case tested my resilience more than any other.”