ANIMAL welfare officers rescued and collected more than 1,900 animals in Dorset in 2010, new figures have revealed.

From dogs and cats to wallabies and iguanas, the RSPCA has helped to rescue a wide range of pets and wild animals from harm or danger.

The charity released that annual welfare figures as part of RSPCA Week to show their supporters how they have helped animals over the last year.

Throughout last year 1,767 animals were collected by RSPCA officers, 139 were rescued, 19 were signed over to the charity and 15 were seized.

Some cases dealt with by Ashley Heath Animal Centre in 2010 included: l Rehoming Ziggy the male iguana at the Oceanarium in Bournemouth in April after he was rescued by the RSPCA.

l Wally the wallaby led residents of Albion Way in Verwood, policemen and four RSPCA inspectors on a two-and-a-half-hour chase. No one had any idea where he came from.

l Four kittens were cared for by RSPCA staff after being found in a box next to some rubbish. The animals, estimated to be between five and six weeks old, were found in Wimborne Road in Bournemouth in September.

Nationally the RSPCA investigated almost 160,000 complaints of alleged cruelty in 2010 – more than 10 per cent than the previous year. Two-year-old cat Max was left fighting for his life after being shot in Verwood. An air riffle pellet punctured his kidney, stomach and spleen in August.

The RSPCA launched an investigation.

Jonathan Silk, the RSPCA’s south and south west regional manager, said: “The RSPCA is and has always been proactive in preventing cruelty and suffering to animals.

“We have a strong record in rehabilitating sick and injured wild animals and birds.

“We are also working hard to improve the lives of farm animals and have helped to boost the numbers of free-range laying hens and pigs raised to higher welfare standards.”