THERE has been a spike in the number of injured or mistreated animals in West Yorkshire, with the Bradford district prominent in the worrying figures.

West Yorkshire Police - Wildlife and Rural Crime posted on Facebook that there has been 74 incidents in the last four days involving animals across the force area.

One incident saw officers attend an address in Bradford to assist the RSPCA with seizing a number of horses that a vet had certified were suffering.

The RSPCA are investigating the circumstances.

On February 16, a horse was attacked and bitten by a dalmatian in the Baildon area. The crime reference number is 13190087804 and anyone with information is encouraged to get in touch.

Officers also attended a road traffic collision in the Addingham area in which a deer was badly injured. Sadly, a vet had to put the animal to sleep.