THE RSPCA warned of a potential animal welfare crisis in the region yesterday, as fuel shortages left the charity's inspectors struggling.

Officials asked people to take sick or injured animals to veterinary practices themselves, as the society's fuel supplies dried up.

Regional manager Alan Wolinski said: "The escalating fuel crisis is already posing a serious threat to animal welfare, as our inspectors are gradually being restricted to calls in the immediate area and, in some cases, forced off the road entirely.

"We are very concerned about how the fuel crisis is affecting our essential animal welfare work, and would appeal to people to be patient until the issue is resolved.

"While our inspectorate is struggling to respond to emergency calls, we are appealing to the public to seek private veterinary treatment for animal casualties where possible, and avoid a potential animal welfare crisis."

The society has also written to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Maff) to express concern about animals in vehicles delayed by blockades, and farmers unable to top up dwindling food supplies for livestock.

Senior scientific officer John Avizienius said: "We've discussed concerns with MAff."