CONCERNS have been raised over a rise in the number of calls made to the Scottish SPCA’s animal helpline from Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire.

Animal rights campaigners are calling for more to be done to tackle the issue after rescue officers received a total of 3,166 reports of abuse in these two areas last year – an increase of more than 400 from the 2015 total.

Of those calls, the vast majority – 3,119 – resulted in a visit or investigation.

However, figures from the charity’s annual review reveal SSPCA volunteers were called out to 2,716 incidents across the two regions two years ago – almost 15 per cent fewer than last year.

Kirsteen Campbell, Scottish SPCA chief executive, said: “While it is true that the majority of the Scottish public are animal lovers, the sad fact is that there remains a minority of people who think it is acceptable to be cruel to animals.

“These figures show there is a growing demand for the vital services of the Scottish SPCA. and I’m delighted to be part of such an invaluable charity.

“Listening to stories of abused, abandoned and injured animals is just heartbreaking and I am proud to be joining a charity which has such a long and established history of making a real difference in Scotland.”

Across Scotland as a whole, the charity’s helpline service was flooded with a record high of almost a quarter of a million calls in 2016.

Officers from the Scottish SPCA attended a total of 85,346 incidents, which included investigations, rescues and dealing with abandoned animals.

Those investigations led to 74 successful prosecutions, including three jail sentences being handed out.

In addition, courts issued a total of 33 bans on people keeping animals.

There has also been a 127 per cent increase in the number of exotic pets rescued since 2010.

Last year, the charity saved 345 reptiles, including snakes, terrapins and lizards.

Volunteers also spoke to more than 300,000 school children and visited 75 per cent of Scottish primaries as part of the Prevention Through Education programme.

Ms Campbell added: “Everyone at the Scottish SPCA is humbled by the generous support of the Scottish public, who generously donate to the society and give up their valuable time to volunteer.

“In 2016, it cost £14.5 million to run the society. Without these incredible supporters, there simply would be no Scottish SPCA and no-one to carry on our lifesaving work across Scotland.”