THE recovery of German Shepherd dog Prince is exceptional in a year which saw animal cruelty figures soar in Yorkshire.

The RSPCA reported today that it dealt with 3,258 complaints in the region in the past year, rescued 191 animals and collected 3,512. It obtained 54 convictions.

The past year has shown a disturbing change from neglect caused by ignorance, to more deliberate cruelty including animals shot, slashed, starved and dumped.

Prince's healthy appearance at his new home in York is an amazing reversal from last year.

When found by RSPCA officers, he could only weakly lick water from the fingers of a veterinary nurse.

Inspector Jackie Paradis found the dog collapsed and emaciated in a pen at a farm at Gribthorpe, East Yorkshire. Despite its frail appearance, the dog showed such fighting spirit that it was decided to monitor his situation closely.

Thanks to the efforts of the veterinary staff, he recovered from his ordeal.

Prince was re-homed in November 2001 with his new owner, Frances Nicholson of Heslington Lane, Fulford, and is said to be settling in well.

Mrs Nicholson said: "He's brilliant. You wouldn't think to look at him now that he is the same animal. At first he was very quiet, but now he plays with my grandchildren and is becoming a real family dog. I don't know how the RSPCA has managed to do this, it's amazing."

Inspector Paradis said: "In all my time with the RSPCA, I have never seen a dog so thin that was still alive. It must have been starving for weeks if not months, and was almost dead when we found it. Now it is happy and well, and has increased in weight dramatically."

Prince's original owner was charged with causing unnecessary suffering to a dog. He pleaded guilty and was banned from keeping all animals for five years.

Updated: 09:37 Wednesday, April 30, 2003