Swallowing live fish, frogs and even a lizard were among the issues reported to the RSPCA last year, however there is good news for animal lovers as complaints reported in Somerset decreased.

The animal charity published its annual figures for 2014 relating to cruelty complaints.

While many prosecutions were related to people taking part in the Neknomination online craze and complaints increased in the south west of England, complaints reported in Somerset decreased.

The charity said the number of complaints involving direct cruelty including beatings, improper killings, mutilation and poisonings formed 12.5% of the total number of complaints.

Somerset had one of the lowest number of complaints – 2,982 compared to 3,035 in 2013.

One animal which was left the victim of a cruel attack was Taunton cat Fluffy who was shot in the stomach with an air rifle before staggering home to her owners.

The shocking attack happened in early September 2014 and her owners said her insides were hanging out from the attack.

Thankfully, she recovered well despite her ordeal, but the RSPCA say the person who shot her is yet to be found.

RSPCA superintendent for the South West, John Grant, said: “It is extremely concerning that we are still receiving so many complaints about animals being deliberately caused to suffer.

“Most of the complaints we receive involve animals being neglected or not receiving the right care and often we can put that right by offering welfare advice. However, it is shocking that in 2014 people are still being deliberately cruel in what can be disturbingly inventive ways.”

The pets most likely to fall victim to alleged deliberate cruelty last year were dogs (21,084), followed by cats (5,1940) and rabbits and small animals (3,653).

But lots of owners listened to advice given by RSPCA inspectors.

In 2014, the number of animal owners who were offered and accepted welfare advice increased from 76,810 in 2013 to 82,746 in 2014.

The vast majority of RSPCA work is improving animal welfare by giving advice to owners.

If you would like to support the work of the RSPCA, text HELP to 78866 to give £3 (texts cost £3 plus one standard network rate message).