Across the Royal County, the animal welfare charity received almost 50 tipoffs a week from the public in the year to the end of May.

More than 40% of the complaints were about the treatment of farm animals - against the national trend - mainly over lack of food and water, for not tending to injuries, or poor living accommodation.

With prosecutions across Berkshire up from 11 to 12, usually sparked by owners ignoring RSPCA warnings, the charity wants more powers to force owners to comply when pets and livestock are at risk.

RSPCA chief inspection officer Andy Foxcroft said: "We often get calls from the public believing the RSPCA hasn't acted when they've called us.

"The sad reality is that, in many cases, we are powerless to do anything except give advice on how to improve the situation for the animal because the law only allows action to be taken when the animal is suffering."

"It is extremely frustrating when the advice isn't taken and we know that, further down the line, we may well be dealing with a case of suffering."

However, the number of strays and other collections were down 25% in Berkshire, from 5,200 to 3,900.

Although cows and horses are most at risk in Berkshire, dog and puppy cruelty accounts for 24% of county cases, rabbits and guinea pigs 16%, cats 11%, with hens and pheasants accounting for just 9%.