Rising animal cruelty stretching RSPCA say charity

England and Wales: up 23.5%

North of England: up 12.3%

The number of convictions relating to cruelty to dogs

England and Wales: up 22%

North of England: down 9%

The number of disqualifications on keeping animals, imposed by courts

England and Wales: up 21%

North of England: up 10.3%

The number of prison sentences imposed by courts

England and Wales: up 27%

North of England: up 15.7%

In the North of England:

The number of people convicted for cruelty and neglect rose from 471 in 2010 to 529 last year.

The number of convictions relating to cruelty to dogs dropped from 800 in 2010 to 728 last year.

The number of disqualifications from keeping animals imposed by the courts rose from 415 in 2010 to 458 last year.

The number of prison sentences imposed for animal cruelty rose from 19 in 2010 to 22 last year.

The number of people reported to the RSPCA prosecutions department dropped from 1127 in 2010 to 1069 last year.