PUPPIES that were left to swelter in the boot of a baking car in Weymouth feature among the cases highlighted by the RSPCA in its latest animal cruelty statistics.

While the ill-treated pets have now recovered and have been re-homed, figures show there has been a 10.5 per cent increase in national animal cruelty investigations by the RSPCA in 2006.

But in the Dorset, New Forest and South Wiltshire area, 16 cases of animal cruelty were reported in 2006 compared to 20 cases in 2005.

And last year nine defendants were prosecuted for crimes against animals in the region - a decrease from the 14 prosecutions made in 2005.

Cumbria man John Walsh was ordered to pay costs of nearly £35,000 and was banned from keeping dogs for 10 years after leaving nine puppies in his car boot while he caught a ferry to Jersey in May 2004 with six others. Blandford Magistrates Court was told that the dogs, discovered by a parking attendant hearing them whimpering, were 'panting heavily'.

A policeman's evidence described the heat coming from the car as being 'like a sauna'.

RSPCA inspector Marie Griffiths said pet owners are not taking heed of advice and are still leaving animals in hot cars.

"It's still happening and I get called out to two or three cases a day.

"Most people do not initially set out to leave their dog in the car for that long - they go away for 10 minutes and then 10 minutes becomes half an hour. The problem begins when the day starts off cloudy then it becomes a lot hotter.

"Luckily it's not that common to get to the stage where the animals are badly injured or die as a result," she said.

Further RSPCA statistics show that 29 defendants were reported for animal cruelty in the Dorset, New Forest and South Wiltshire area in 2006, compared with 38 in 2005.

Nine animal cruelty offenders were cautioned in the region in 2006, while 10 were cautioned in 2005.

Marie added that not every case she has seen in the last year has ended as happily as the six puppies.

"People should realise that they have a duty of care to their animals. It's something we have to be responsible about," she said.