Reports of dog cruelty increased in Berkshire in 2023, including the tragic case of a suspected intentional drowning.

The RSPCA received 516 reports of dog cruelty in the county last year, up from 456 in 2022.

The national figures also show a worrying increase.

In 2023, the charity received 52,662 reports of dog cruelty, an eight per cent rise from 2022 which saw 48,567 reports.

The number of reports has been increasing year on year since 2020, when the charity received 42,613 reports, marking a 23 per cent increase in four years.

The figures were released by the RSPCA as part of its No Animal Deserves Cruelty summer appeal.

RSPCA chief executive Chris Sherwood 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."

The figures include the shocking case of a dog body found in the River Thames in Berkshire with a rock tied around her neck, in a suspected deliberate drowning.

A member of the public spotted the body floating in the river near their home in Ferry Lane, Wargrave, on July 25 last year.

RSPCA rescuers attended the scene and helped pull the body from the river.

An RSPCA spokesman said: "This was an extremely distressing find.

"The poor dog appears to have been cruelly and deliberately drowned with a rock tied around her neck.

"We don’t know if she was dead before being thrown in the water but the circumstances with the rock tied to her make it suspicious."

The RSPCA has called for everyone to work together to create a 'kinder world for animals'.

Mr Sherwood said: "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.

"That's why we've launched our summer appeal, because it’s vital that we all take action together to help animals like these dogs."

People can help by donating to the RSPCA's No Animal Deserves Cruelty summer appeal at rspca.org.uk/appeal.

If you suspect an animal is being cruelly treated, you can find out how to report this on the RSPCA’s website.