I post this link with a heavy heart

Tinypony said:
Hey, LeanneRSPCA, please could you let me know when the RSPCA are going to act on a situation that has been going on in Kent, near Brands Hatch, for many years? The local RSPCA will know where I mean, they have been called out often enough. I believe the field is about 270 acres, and it's full of horses and ponies in varying conditions, said to be destined for the meat market. It is also full of ragwort. Every year, normally in the winter but not always, horses and ponies die in this field. I was present when a foal was found hanging in the barbed wire one summer, it must have been about 8 years ago, that had to be put to sleep. In the winter they starve to death hidden in the trees. A dead foal laid in sight of the local primary school for several days before the council removed it. The RSPCA and other welfare agencies are well aware of this situation, and have been for years. Every winter they allow themselves to be fobbed off by a couple of round bales being dropped in (between maybe 50 equines), and every summer they turn a blind eye to the horses grazing in a sea of yellow ragwort.
Nobody can argue that these horses and ponies are not being kept to "the standard required by the law", and yet year after year they struggle on in these conditions. When the gullible public respond to your television campaigns they think that you are the charity that would save animals in these sad situations, and yet in this case you fail year after year. Is it a case of deal with the easy targets (like the case here) and look away when you are faced with more challenging members of the public?
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LeanneRSPCA can you respond to this please?
 
I agree that the RSPCA prefer soft targets or those that will get them lots of media attention. You only have to watch their TV programmes to see it. They are forever poking their noses in where they're not needed, but ignoring other cases of real neglect. On one reacent episode of 24/7, an 'inspector' visited a family who had taken in an abandoned kitten and bullied them into handing it over, saying it might have all sorts of health problems and were they sure that they could afford to keep a cat. This went on for some time, the folks wanted to keep the cat but eventually gave in. "Are you sure you can afford to keep a cat????", I cannot think of a pet much cheaper to keep!! The vet that examined the kitten after it had been taken by the 'inspector' said it was in perfect health and didn't even have a flea on it!

The RSPCA will not be getting a single penny of my money either.
 
I think its like Social Services, they're dammed if they do and dammed if they don't.

I am sure the RSPCA don't do things right all the time but I for one would still want some animal charities and welfare groups to be in existence as surely the fact that people are aware they do exist and can be reported to has saved some animals from abuse or neglect.

And as for not addressing travellers ( which is who I have assumed the above post is referring to ) is no different to the police or any other government body paralysed by fear of being accused of racism etc.

Having seen some of the individuals and nutters these charities have to deal with it can't be easy and I couldn't do it.
 
Leanne, I am also curious as to what your reply to TinyPony will be.

Please also explain why the RSPCA have (for many years) been conning Scots out of money. Scottish animals don't receive a penny of the donations.
 
Interestingly the statement does not give any indication of the measures which were taken prior to this man being arrested and his ponies removed. I can only assume, as I am sure that others also will, that there were no measures taken prior to this 'swoop', while the man was in custody. There has been no suggestion that the man offered any violence to anyone, so surely should have been present during the removal of his animals.
 
LHS said:
And as for not addressing travellers ( which is who I have assumed the above post is referring to ) is no different to the police or any other government body paralysed by fear of being accused of racism etc.
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Sorry LHS, I don't agree with you on this one. Animal cruelty crosses racial boundaries and I don't think any welfare agency need fear accusations of racism when they are dealing with animals that are clearly neglected and starved.

Of course it's not an easy job, and I think people recognise that. Which is why the RSPCA captures the public imagination and trust so strongly.
 
Yes I see where your coming from but I do think the authorities are sometimes scared of intervening when different cultures are involved.

Even with Appleby i'm sure if you or I started treating horses the way of some we've seen it'd soon be put a stop to but because its cultural no-one stops it.
Extra tolerance prevails often to the detriment of the animals.

Regarding children I'm old enough to remember the death of Anna Climbie and in that case there was very strong feeling that had the child been white intervention would have happened a lot quicker. The same with that poor child recently who was starved to death by Muslim Parents.

Now I know white people abuse / kill children but there is a lot of fear around getting it ' right' with other cultures and this results in delays.

PS in the case of our localish travellers its fear of violence and the lack of the necessary manpower that stops the police going into the local camp. And yes I do think racial, cultural sensitivities create added pressure.
 
Well LHS, it's just a field, but it's a very sad field for those of us who drive past regularly. Many reports have been made, but nothing is ever done. If the RSPCA just come out with it and say "We're not going to do anything because we're too afraid of the consequences" then fine, at least we know. This has been going on for at least 10 years. It's not far off being another Spindles Farm in the depths of winter. What on earth is going to happen this year, with hay prices as they are in the South East? Will they even get the odd couple of round bales that are put out from time to time?
 
Yes its awful for all of them, its like only the fittest will survive.

The telegraph the other day had an article on the hay shortages and they had a charity saying they expected an awful lot of horses to be PTS this coming winter.

I would just document what happens there and try and get a local paper or radio station interested. And keep badgering the authorities. Hopefully the nuisance factor may come into play.

Good luck it must be very distressing to see that.
 
Leanne RSPCA is the North of England Press Officer. The last time I looked at a map Kent is at the opposite end of the country. How on earth is she meant to comment sensibly on something happening miles away?
 
Indy said:
Leanne RSPCA is the North of England Press Officer. The last time I looked at a map Kent is at the opposite end of the country. How on earth is she meant to comment sensibly on something happening miles away?
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Presumably by picking the phone up to ask her counterpart in Kent for an update on the situation and then post back. Or ask her counterpart to respond directly.

Radical eh !
 
Well I would like to think that perhaps she's got enough on with her own area without being hassled by people on here to start dealing with things down south. Would that not be what the Southern Regional press officer is for?
 
Indy said:
Well I would like to think that perhaps she's got enough on with her own area without being hassled by people on here to start dealing with things down south. Would that not be what the Southern Regional press officer is for?
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Yes I think it was good of her to post anything really as it can end up a witch hunt on here for the RSPCA. At least by her posting it is an acknowledgment that the RSPCA are aware of the discussion here and will be aware of people's thoughts on the handling of the case in question.
 
Yes LH, this is a bit of "nuisance factor" in action.
It is not a witch hunt either. I'm think it would be very simple for one regional officer to email a link to another don't you? Besides which, I think it's relevant as it shows a marked contrast in how situations that sound quite similar were dealt with.
 
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I recently had a talk in which they boasted about how only 1/3 of the calls made to their hotline are responded to, and how most of their donations actually go to their scientific research department.

And yet, when we asked the RSPCA representative in person "If you multiply the number of chickens in the UK by the minimum amount of space the RSPCA wants for them, you'd need an entire county devoted to chicken farming, so where would you suggest we put them?" they were stunned to silence.

All your monies are going to a department who lack even basic common sense.

It does not surprise me someone has finally died as a result of RSPCA bullying tactics. I lost a friend to a similar group (lots of money, very little action, a whole TV show about how rubbish they are... worked it out?) after they bullied him to death. Similar tactics, they took everything he had.

It's frustrating, but the RSPCA machine will cover it up and move on. Same as they cover up the numerous other 'incidents' where they messed up.

But, another question for Leanne, if the ponies are to be retained in custody due to "fears they may suffer in the future", how come whenever we report animals suffering in the now, we're ignored? Have had problems with RSPCA in the South East who claim as long as the animals are being fed and watered, you can lock them in boiling buildings when it's almost 35 degrees outside without problem...
 
Perhaps Leanne could tell us what went wrong in this one?

This little dog has now been rescued - No thanks to the RSPCA!

There is a long thread but here is the first posting - so glad they have rescued him now.

It is well worth reading the entire thread.

http://www.ecademy.com/node.php?id=153167

Social : My dog needs help The RSPCA is a totally useless organisation

by Fay OlinskyBlackStarVerified SafeNetworking on 3-Aug-10 1:19pm


For 28 hours my little dog has been buried underground inside a huge collapsed hay barn.
After ringing umpteen organisations including RSPCA and getting nothing but recorded messages, I rang 999 for the fire service. They came out last nigh around 6.30 fully dressed in protective clothing and stated they could do nothing...too many stinging nettles!

They went away and we all continued searching until dark. The Fire Brigade said the RSPCA had been notified and would call first thing in the morning because they had equipment that could locate the dog.
Nothing...absolutely no call at all. Tried calling them for the third time today.. I have to try and get through to the animal cruelty department because that is the only number available. The answer every time since yesterday at 11 am has been. All of our lines are busy please call back at another time or visit the website.

My little dog is silent now, I am exhausted but will still dig until I make a breakthrough.
I know the RSPCA had been informed from the call back from the 999 call I made yesterday late afternoon.

I hope those people who make large donations to this organisation read this.

I have tried every source of possible help. The vet the police the rescue centres...all direct me to call RSPCA who just do not answer or even have a service where I can leave a message.

My dog is going to die if I cannot get to her. The task is enormous like digging for an earthquake victim.

If anyone knows of any organisation that might help me could you answer this blog.

Fay
 
A comment culled from the Telegraph site:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/...217/Did-the-RSPCA-drive-a-man-to-suicide.html

lukefromdubai
Today 01:36 AM
I have lived within a mile of these horses for many years and am genuinely saddened to see them go. They did live wild on the bottom of the fells but to say they were aggressive to walkers and farmers is ridiculous. Many tourists would stop their cars to get out and stroke the ponies, they loved to be petted and were very peaceful as anyone who has encountered them will tell you.

One did bite my friend on the knee once but it certainly wasn't aggressive, more jealousy when the nose of another was being stroked. We did get some lovely photos of them on a couple of occasions and I will upload them and link here.

The ponies have been part of the landscape here for many years and didn't exist without some controversy among the farming community due to their wandering ways that had no boundaries on fields and what they would eat on their way.

I was very sad to hear that Mr Brough "Broughy" had committed suicide. My thoughts go to his family and friends. I'm surprised that the article didn't mention that before the ponies he had lions and tigers, his picture in our local paper was from the 70s where he is lovingly cuddling a lion cub.

The finer details of this case will likely not surface, it should be mentioned that the National Park paid a vet to castrate the ponies to prevent further breeding, and although that commenced some of us hoped that the existing ponies would at least see a year or two more.
 
Harper_Gal said:
I recently had a talk in which they boasted about how only 1/3 of the calls made to their hotline are responded to, and how most of their donations actually go to their scientific research department.

And yet, when we asked the RSPCA representative in person "If you multiply the number of chickens in the UK by the minimum amount of space the RSPCA wants for them, you'd need an entire county devoted to chicken farming, so where would you suggest we put them?" they were stunned to silence.

All your monies are going to a department who lack even basic common sense.

It does not surprise me someone has finally died as a result of RSPCA bullying tactics. I lost a friend to a similar group (lots of money, very little action, a whole TV show about how rubbish they are... worked it out?) after they bullied him to death. Similar tactics, they took everything he had.

It's frustrating, but the RSPCA machine will cover it up and move on. Same as they cover up the numerous other 'incidents' where they messed up.

But, another question for Leanne, if the ponies are to be retained in custody due to "fears they may suffer in the future", how come whenever we report animals suffering in the now, we're ignored? Have had problems with RSPCA in the South East who claim as long as the animals are being fed and watered, you can lock them in boiling buildings when it's almost 35 degrees outside without problem...
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Harper girl, hate to tell you this but he isnt the first person to have had taken his life because of the RSPCA, there have been a few. They just dont get published widely because the newspapers (with the exception of the telegraph) dont want to write any thing bad about the RSPCA. Sorry about your friend by the way, very sad indeed.
 
Can those of you who have posted that you know about suicides (or attempts) that resulted from RSPCA investigations/raids/prosecution please contact the SHG. We are particularly interested in documenting as many of these cases as possible.

You can contact us by e-mail shg@the-shg.org or by telephone 0844 700 66 90.

Thanks
 
And now this poor man has been cleared after three years of hell and collapsing with a stroke during the stress of the trial.


http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/nor...cleared-of-neglect-accusation-55578-26999995/

Anglesey horse breeder cleared of neglect accusation

Aug 5 2010 by Owen R Hughes, Daily Post

A HORSE breeder on Anglesey endured a three-year ordeal after being accused of neglecting his animals in an RSPCA prosecution.

Michael O’Neill, of Rainbow Farm, Pentraeth, had his good reputation for breeding horses damaged after he was accused of neglecting two horses back in 2007.

The drawn out legal process was further delayed in March 2009 when he collapsed during his trial in Holyhead Magistrates Court with a stroke.

Doctors wanted the case withdrawn but Mr O’Neill, who is in his 50s, was desperate to clear his name.

Last week Mr O’Neill was cleared of all the charges at Caernarfon Magistrates Court and told his reputation as a breeder was “untarnished”.

Zoe McKenna, of Rhoscefnhir, who was accused alongside him, has also had charges against her dropped.

Mr O’Neill said: “It has been very hard on me, it has been a terrible thing to go through.”

His solicitor Gareth Parry said: “This has hung over my client for three years. The judge has cleared him of all charges and told him his reputation is completely untarnished. This threatened his entire livelihood as a horse breeder, he risked bankruptcy to fight this.

“His legal costs will now be paid from the courts.”

Mr O’Neill, who is originally from Ireland, is the fifth generation of horse breeders in his family and had an excellent reputation.

In August 2007 he spent around £10,000 to buy two horses from Ireland.

They developed a bacterial infection called strangles, which causes lymph nodes around the throat to swell, forming abscesses. It also causes a loss of appetite.

Treatment of the infection is difficult but Mr O’Neill arranged care and veterinary attention.

In September he was required to return to Ireland several times as his daughter was seriously ill.

While away he arranged for Ms McKenna to keep an eye on the horses, which she did.

But when they were seen in a field near Rhostrehwfa in a poorly condition it was reported to the RSPCA, who investigated.

They believed that the collars on the horses were causing the sores and O’Neill and McKenna were accused of causing unnecessary suffering to the two horses.

Ms McKenna saw the charges dropped earlier this year.

In a statement through his solicitor, Mr O’Neill said: “I am relieved that my reputation remains untarnished and grateful for the support of my family, friends, and legal team.”

Friend Sue Rimmer said justice had been done.

He said: “We knew all along that he had not neglected his horses. Mr O’Neill was determined to clear his name and now he has. He would never mistreat any animal.”
 
LHS said:
I think its very sad but the charities involved are all experienced and I think there has to be some reason for ponies to be removed. Normally the authorities advise people about welfare issues before taking action so maybe there is more to this.

If the charities were wanting to prevent mass indiscriminate breeding, for wild or otherwise stock, I don't think this is necessarily a bad thing. QUOTE]

I agree. So many of you on here harp on about how the RSPCA never do anything and then when they DO do something you complain about that too! We weren't there, Im sure SOME of the 100-and-something ponies were in good condition (or full of worms - I very much doubt he wormed that many!!). Its very sad he killed himself but at the end of the day nobody should have that many horses in the first place and I think its only right that if the RSPCA had concerns for their welfare then they be removed.
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