MORE than 1,100 animals were saved across Gwent last year according to new figures from animal charity RSPCA Cymru – almost three per day.

The majority of the rescues took place in Newport, with 401 animals saved, followed by Caerphilly with 314.

In Blaenau Gwent, Torfaen and Monmouthshire, the number of animals saved by the charity was 160, 148 and 122 respectively, totalling 1,145 across the five authorities.

The statistics were released by the charity to celebrate the annual RSPCA Week Monday, June 12 to Sunday, June 18 and reveal that 7,642 animals were rescued in 2016 and 10, 540 complaints about cruelty were received.

The awareness week coincides with the 193rd anniversary of the RSPCA on Friday, June 16.

The new data, included in RSPCA Cymru’s annual summary, revealed more animals were collected and rescued by the RSPCA in Wales in 2016 than during the previous year.

Around with 7,119 welfare and improvement notices given to members of the public – an increase of 22.95 per cent on the previous year.

However, the data also saw a decrease in the number of RSPCA convictions in South East Wales dropping from 52 in 2015 to 35 in 2016.

Recent convictions in 2016 included a Cwmbran couple being banned from keeping dogs for two years after allowing husky dogs to become “the thinnest”.

The charity also neutered more than 9,000 animals and delivered teacher training with the potential to reach over 75,000 pupils.

RSPCA assistant director for external relations, Claire Lawson, said: “I’m immensely proud of everything the charity achieved in Wales to better the lives of animals.

“Our small team of front line officers rescued nearly 21 animals each and every day during 2016; whilst a huge surge in the use of welfare and improvement notices outlines our successful commitment to educating and working with animal owners.”

She added: “RSPCA Week is an amazing opportunity to showcase the fantastic animal welfare work taking place across Wales - from our Inspectorate, to our Animal Centres, external relations staff and independent branches.”

RSPCA facilities include two national animal centres at Bryn-Y-Maen and Newport, a veterinary clinic at Merthyr Tydfil and a pet adoption centre inside Newport's Pets at Home.

For more information on RSPCA Week visit: rspca.org.uk/whatwedo/whoweare/wales.

To view the charities annual summary for 2016, click here.