Jet the German shepherd has now been rehomed after living in a filthy flat

by Rhona Jamieson

More people in Kent have been reported for animal cruelty than any other area in the South East, including Greater London.

The RSPCA has released its latest statistics, which show 148 defendants were reported in 2011 - 49 of those were convicted.

They include the case of Jet the German shepherd.

In March 2011 he was found living in a filthy flat that had urine, faeces and even broken glass on the floor.

His Ramsgate owner failed to make changes despite a warning notice.

In September he was banned from keeping animals for life after he was found guilty of failing to meet the welfare and needs of the dog.

The filthy flat where Jet was living

Jet was seized by inspectors and has now been happily rehomed.

In the South East there has been a 38% rise in the number of convictions relating to dogs. It has gone from 266 in 2010 to 366 last year.

Back in 2010 seven people in the South East were jailed for animal cruelty, but that almost doubled last year, with 13 being sent to prison.

Sally Bruce, RSPCA South East regional manager, said: "The RSPCA strives to keep animals with their owners wherever possible and offers advice on improving their welfare.

"Overwhelmingly this advice is followed, but where it isn't, or where someone has already harmed an animal there has to be a way of ensuring that animals are not left to suffer and the RSPCA is the charity people turn to.

Zeus and Zozo, two 10-month old Staffordshire bull terriers, were found emaciated and cowering in puppy crates in a passageway at their owner's property in Ramsgate.

A man and woman pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to the puppies.

They were banned from keeping animals for two years and were ordered to pay costs of £1,954.

Both have been renamed and rehomed.

The RSPCA has released these figures to highlight RSPCA Week which starts on Monday and aims to increase donations to the charity.

It costs £15 per day to feed, house and provide medical attention for just one of the 7,762 dogs the RSPCA cared for in 2011.