Cases of animal abuse and neglect are sadly common, with perpetrators being hauled before the courts year after year.
The last 12 months have been no different, with cases across Merseyside and the wider region horrifying our readers.
This year saw prison terms for animal abuse raised in an attempt to deter people from carrying out horrific attacks - but horrific abuse continues to be uncovered.
READ MORE: Liverpool's hidden housing shame exposed after families harrowing cases
A man who battered a puppy, a dad who tortured hamsters and an owner who left his badly injured cat for days are among the abusers, while others neglected their pets so much they had to be put down.
We already looked at some of the worst cases of abuse and neglect earlier this year.
Here are some of the people who have been brought before the courts in 2021 for their vile behaviour.
Esha Proudlove and Craig Shingler
A woman who battered a puppy lied about what happened to vets.
Esha Proudlove took Maya, a brindle cross breed, to vets on multiple occasions after she suffered injuries including broken ribs, 'severe head trauma' and a swollen thorax.
The 20-year-old claimed the puppy had tried to squeeze out of her crate and fallen from the sofa in efforts to cover up the abuse.
Her boyfriend Craig Shingler, 24, also failed to tell vets what had really happened.
But neighbours overheard the attacks happening and an RSPCA investigation revealed the extent of the abuse.
Shingler, of Conway Court, Ellesmere Port, admitted causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal between October 15, 2020 and November 13, 2020.
He also admitted not taking reasonable steps to ensure the needs for an animal in relation to a second dog, Milo, between April 9 and April 13, 2020.
Proudlove, also of Conway Court, admitted two counts of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal between October 15 and November 13, 2020, in relation to Maya and not taking reasonable steps to ensure the needs for an animal in relation to Milo before October 15.
They were both banned from keeping pets for 10 years.
Proudlove was handed 12 weeks suspended for one year and ordered to complete 20 Rehabilitation Activity Requirements and an eight week curfew to run from 7pm to 7am.
Shingler was handed 10 weeks suspended for one year and must complete 10 Rehabilitation Activity Requirements and 150 hours of unpaid work.
Both were ordered to pay £250 in costs and a victim surcharge of £128.
Jason Campbell
A dad tortured and killed two hamsters and a guinea pig after admitting to having "urges to harm people and animals".
Jason Campbell drove to a pet shop in Wallasey and used a fake name to buy the animals one at a time on separate dates between December 25, 2020 and January 27 this year.
The 32-year-old, who has no previous convictions, then went to his car and subjected each animal to horrific torture before killing them and throwing the bodies in a bin.
He confessed the crimes to a mental health worker, prompting an RSPCA investigation.
The court heard Campbell suffered from depression and anxiety and had been in pain due to a prolapsed disc in his spine.
Campbell, of The Mount, Heswall, admitted three counts of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.
He was jailed for eight weeks and banned from keeping animals for 10 years.
Merseyside Police said he attended a voluntary interview and they did not take his mugshot.
Leon Robinson
A teen violently attacked his daughter's puppy after buying it for her for Christmas.
Leon Robinson was filmed going to his ex's mum's house and shouting before walking inside, picking up the dog and throwing it to the floor with force.
The 18-year-old breached a non molestation order when he went to the home with an offensive weapon, and was jailed for 22 weeks as a result.
Robinson, of Bell Lane, Sutton Manor, St Helens, admitted causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal in a separate court hearing.
He was handed a 12 month community order and ordered to pay £200 costs and a £95 victim surcharge.
Robinson was also ordered to complete 80 hours of unpaid work and banned from keeping animals for 10 years.
James Haydon
A yob sold two sick puppies to a couple on Facebook, one of which was so poorly it had to be put to sleep.
James Haydon sold the two Cane Corso dogs for a total of £1,800, but after collecting them their new owners realised they were sick.
One puppy was severely underweight, weighing just 1.9 kilograms when it should have weighed between eight and nine kilograms.
The RSPCA later attended the now 22-year-old's home, in Netherton, where officers found 11 dogs and puppies kept in crates where they didn't have access to fresh water.
One dog was kept in a crate so small it was unable to even turn around and others were walking in faeces.
Haydon, now of Island Road, Reading, admitted two counts of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal on September 26, 2019, one count of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal between February 1 and February 5, 2020, and two counts of failing to ensure the needs of the animals were met between August 15 and September 26 2019 and on February 5, 2020, respectively.
He was handed a 12 week sentence suspended for one year and was ordered to complete 30 Rehabilitation Activity Requirements and a Thinking Skills Programme.
He must pay £250 in costs and a £122 victim surcharge and was banned from keeping animals for five years.
Orrin Lloyd
An owner left his cat crying in pain and in clear distress after it suffered a broken pelvis.
Orrin Lloyd was charged with inflicting blunt force trauma on Puss the tabby cat, but cleared following a trial.
The 31-year-old was convicted, however, of causing unnecessary suffering when he didn't seek help while it was clearly in distress between April 30, 2020 and May 4, 2020.
The vets considered putting the cat down due to the severity of the injuries, but after spending 15 days in an animal hospital it is now "doing well".
His mum said she had previously been concerned about his treatment of animals when he threw a mouse down the stairs.
Lloyd, of Scarisbrick Avenue, Southport, was handed a 12-month community order and must complete 30 Rehabilitation Activity Requirements and 80 hours of unpaid work.
He was banned from keeping any animal for 10 years and must pay costs of £500 and a victim surcharge of £95.
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