OUR shameful record on animal rights is getting worse. The RSPCA today reported another rise in the number of animals it had rescued.

In the North, it received 30,900 reports of possible abuse. There were nearly three times the number of animal cruelty prosecutions in this region - 293 - compared to the South East.

This is not just about cruelty, however. The RSPCA can deal with cruelty through the courts.

What the charity lacks is the power to intervene before real harm is done. Thousands of caring citizens contact the RSPCA to report that an animal is being kept in inappropriate conditions, or is otherwise in danger.

Under a 1911 law, however, an animal must suffer first before its owner can be prosecuted.

Last year the RSPCA introduced a new welfare assessment form giving written guidance to owners failing to meet their pets' needs. This has been issued to more than 2,600 people but 315 ignored it and, without breaking the law, continued to neglect their pets.

The good news is that the Animal Welfare Bill, published this month, should close this loophole. It proposes new powers to allow RSPCA officers to intervene earlier.

This long-overdue overhaul of antiquated cruelty laws will also place a duty of care on pet owners. Too often people buy an animal on a whim without stopping to think. They only realise that their busy lifestyle is incompatible with the needs of their pet when it is too late.

If they can be made to think about the responsibility of looking after an animal before they buy, we may bring down these shocking cruelty figures.

Updated: 11:14 Wednesday, July 28, 2004