Dog cruelty reports have soared in the past year, according to police figures.
Officers probed 79 cases across Scotland last year, a 25 per cent increase on the previous year.
Penalties for abusing animals are increasing but the shameful total led to renewed calls for a tougher response.
Scots Tory animal welfare spokesman Maurice Golden, who obtained the new figures, said: “There’s clearly an increasing problem in Scotland with cruelty to dogs. These figures show there are far too many people who think it’s acceptable to be violent towards their pets and that’s completely unacceptable.
“Increased sentencing powers will not only ensure those guilty of this are punished severely but it should also deter others from embarking on this behaviour.
“Dogs love their owners unconditionally – anyone who abuses that must be held to account.”
A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “We have committed to increasing the maximum custodial sentence available to the courts for the most serious animal welfare offences to five years imprisonment.
“We also welcome valuable initiatives such as those of the Scottish SPCA , who raise awareness of animal welfare through their programme of school visits.”
