RSPCA muddy field case update!

Incidentally, if I was an RSPCA officer or social worker, then I would be highly suspicious of people who complained. I would think they had something to hide.
 
i've had the rspca out to me on a few occassions.
once was for a complaint about me neglecting my dogs, i had a puppy wolfhound, a collie x and an elderly rescued greyhound. i only had teh greyhound a couple of weeks and someone phoned them saying i wasn't feeding my dogs, they came out and it did upset me that someone thought i was starving my dogs (the greyhound was very slim) but after they met my dogs and saw the amount of feed i had stored for them (i bought in bulk) they could see that the dogs were well cared for and they gave me alot of praise about my greyhounds progress (pics when i picked him up and how he looked on that day).
i was angry afterwards but i realised they were just doing their job because of some do gooder thinking i was neglectful. the rspca didn't know that until they visited.

another time (lots about horses) was about my horse who was on restricted grazing due to laminitis, some busy body would open the fence up and allow my horse to go into the bigger field with grazing and after a week of me having to redo the fence the rspca came round, they entered my property, left a note and i phoned them up, we had a laugh at the fact that some busy body thought i was being cruel when in fact they were the ones being cruel by trying to be kind. the rspca inspector sent me a letter stating the reasons why my horse was where he was and that i was doing the right thing by the horse. i put that letter on the gate and didn't have anymore trouble from the people letting my horse out.

it's not worth getting upset about, just laugh at the fact that some busy body thinks they know more than you about your horses. can you imagine how stupid that person must have sounded when they phoned to say about mud in your field. seriously how do you think the person taking the call would have reacted after putting the phone down?? i reckon they fell about with laughter before writing it up to pass on.

every complaint has to be investigated and it will be an open case until they are satisfied, in otherwords they have to check the animals/property AND speak to the owner, until they have done that the case is still open.
 
I was reported too a few years ago for keeping two dogs in a pen for 4 hours a day whilst we were at work. They had food, water and shelter and were walked 4 times a day and slept in the house with us. The RSPCA came and checked on them whilst we were out and said they were obviously well cared for so no problems. It didn't bother me one bit and they were really nice about it.
 
About 35 years ago, my sister (who was about 18 at the time) took over the welfare of a pony she saw was being neglected and was in bit of a state in another field near to where she kept hers. Someone subsequently reported it a couple of weeks later and the RSPCA turned up. She gave them the story of what happened and they then decided to prosecute her. It went to court and the judge threw it straight out when it was pointed out that for a horse to look neglected actually takes more than a couple of weeks of management or mismanagement (which she was actually doing the opposite of). Her failing was to actually care enough to act on her instincts to try and help the poor animal and to be naieve enough at 18 to think that others would see it as an act of compassion on her part. Something which the RSPCA failed miserably to comprehend :rolleyes:

They should pass all of these cases on to the WHW or another specialist Equine welfare charity who actually know what they are doing.
 
I've had them out to my dogs where I used to live...while I was working for another welfare organisation actually!! Lol!!! I had a number of foster dogs that were in a manky state but the inspectors face when he saw it was me was classic!!! Lots of tuts, raised eyebrows at time wasting complains and a cuppa and off he went. I have absolutely no problem anyone coming to see my dogs or my horses, cos I have nothing to hide.
 
Everyone keeps having a go at me to calm down. I'm sorry that I don't think the same as you. It's against the law. End of story.

Yes I am angry I was even reported, because it's such a goddamn stupid reason.
I rang them right back, I would have spoke with him on the phone as I did. I would have even considered letting him in if he wasn't satisfied by that.


But he didn't even do any of that. He helped himself to a look without notifying me, without ringing me. Nothing. And then he was rude about it on the phone.

I will not calm down about it. It is not ok to enter yourproperty without permission for anyone. I don't care who you are.
 
Alphamare said:
Everyone keeps having a go at me to calm down. I'm sorry that I don't think the same as you. It's against the law. End of story.

Yes I am angry I was even reported, because it's such a goddamn stupid reason.
I rang them right back, I would have spoke with him on the phone as I did. I would have even considered letting him in if he wasn't satisfied by that.


But he didn't even do any of that. He helped himself to a look without notifying me, without ringing me. Nothing. And then he was rude about it on the phone.

I will not calm down about it. It is not ok to enter yourproperty without permission for anyone. I don't care who you are.
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You are starting to sound guilty or have something to hide.

Stop thinking of yourself, calm down and think it was a good thing, your horses were proved to be fine, on another occasion the animals may not have been.

They do a good job that is often difficult.
 
Don't get stroppy...believe me having worked for and with welfare organisations for many years, we most definately will look harder at someone who gets defensive and argumentative. Let it go, put it down to experience and forget about it, nothing happened so why get so wound up?
 
Alphamare sometimes peoples attitudes stink, and it is not right if he was rude but some people just dont have good "people" skills. And can you honestly say that you have never broken the law, however trivial that law may seem to you (34 in a 30 zone, talking on your mobile while driving, that kind of thing),where you rude to him?

Be honest here, is it really worth getting yourself in a tizz over, as i and others have said, think of the implications if everyone complained if they thought the inspector was "rude" or a jobsworth.
 
If I am right, trespass is not a criminal offence, but a civil one. So you could sue the RSPCA man, but civil cases are often dragged out and would take a long time. More stress for you. I apologise if I am wrong on this.

I think people are just concerned that you seem so angry and at one point I think you used the word 'hate' three or four times in one post. It really won't be doing you any good.

But having said that, it is right that you are entitled to feel differently to others, you are entitled to be angry. So I wish you luck in whatever way you decide to handle things.

I always go by what my wise old mum says to me, which is, "Choose your battles wisely"
The rest are not worth it.
 
So, potential scenario:

Horse reported as neglected
Inspector goes to field, can't see the whole field from over the gate or fence
Inspector asks permission to enter field, is refused by owner, therefore can't check whole field
Horse subsequently kills itself on bit of dangerous debris that was hidden from the inspector from the gate
Everyone is up in arms over death of horse, inspector knows nothing, organisation is rubbish, etc etc...

:rolleyes:
 
If you do take civil action against him it will end up in the press and everyone will be talking about the state of your fields. Have a big glass of wine and thank goodness some organisations care enough to check.
 
Oh, and dangerous debris could include nails, broken glass, rolls of wire hidden by grass, builder's rubble - all of which I have seen in fields! So not necessarily visible from a distance, but capable of inflicting a nasty wound all the same.
 
Despite the well known sign ‘trespassers will be prosecuted’, trespass is not a criminal offence and trespassers cannot usually be prosecuted. They can, however, be sued. There is little chance of such a matter ever being so serious as to be worth suing over, and so this rarely happens. If you did waste RSPCA money in order to do this- it would probably end up in the press and people would take pics of your fields.
He agrees your horses were healthy and fine. Which is great.

As an aside-Do you own the land or rent it?
 
I think it is good he went and checked, in this case there was no cruelty but i am sure often there is and it is good they at least followed it up.

I have had them called to us before by members of the public thinking they are doing good, many years ago for our shetland who was in a restricted grazing pen and they thought it was cruel, they came out found us we explained why she was inthere and they were happy.

But i think it is good members of public who are maybe not horsey report what they believe to be cruel as it is the only way they will in fact hopefully catch the genuine cases, and that the RSPCA follow it up. It nothing to be angry over really, these things happen and it was all good in the end.
 
I agree that this was a waste of time for both parties.

However I felt I should mention that the RSPCA DO have rights of access, regardless what people have been replying back. The Police and RSPCA are the only organisations that can attend a property/land and gain access. I work very closely with these orgainsations in my line of work and know this to be the case.

IMO it was a shame that your's and the RSPCA's time was wasted because someone put a complaint in, who clearly doesn't know the requirements to keeping horses!
 
Vixstar, that is total and absolute rubbish! The RSPCA have no right of entry without a police officer in attendance and a warrant from the court. It is necessary that they are held to account, particulalry if people who claim to work closely with them believe and quote this mythical right of access. Please site the statute which allows a charitable organisation the right to enter private property, and then tell me which areas of your land they are allowed to enter, garden/field/ outbuildings/ house/ bathroom etc.
 
Vixstar said:
I agree that this was a waste of time for both parties.

However I felt I should mention that the RSPCA DO have rights of access, regardless what people have been replying back. The Police and RSPCA are the only organisations that can attend a property/land and gain access. I work very closely with these orgainsations in my line of work and know this to be the case.

IMO it was a shame that your's and the RSPCA's time was wasted because someone put a complaint in, who clearly doesn't know the requirements to keeping horses!
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RSPCA only have rights of access if with the police. Who told you otherwise has been lying to you which makes me worry as you say you work closely with these organisations.
 
OP a few years ago I would have said you were over-reacting BUT this happened to a friend. The RSPCA found a very ill pony (rescue pony originally) on a friends rented land. As the RSPCA entered the land without permission they didnt consult with the owner about any care it was getting. It was under the owners vets cared Pony was siezed, never even told owner, didnt leave a note or anything.

Anyway, cut a long story short, when RSPCA were told that pony was under vets care the "officer" was shocked and said she had to consult with her supervisor. Supervisor obviously wasnt prepared to back down so now it is all going to court. At a great deal of stress, heart-ache and money.
 
So the horses are knee deep in mud, no signs of hay on the floor and somebody called the RSPCA who are obviously more experienced about horses than the person who called in to them and they checked it out.
Seeing the mud fest they checked out the whole situation by having a quick look around and left you a card to tell you they had done it so not cause alarm if someone had reported a stranger wondering around...probably plating your horses mane?!!?
You've kicked off why, because your neighbours are fed up of living next to a ploughed field, a member of the public cared enough about your horses to call someone or the RSPCA bothered to act upon that call?
Your horses are fine, no damage has been done except to your pride, you have proof the call is closed which you can show to anyone who asks.
Let it go and get on with your life...there are more important things to worry about than a member of the public and a welfare charity caring!!!
 
The RSPCA do not have a right of access unless accompanied by the police. I spent the weekend assisting a welfare case and the inspector running the show asked the 'customer' before entering any part of his property...he made damn sure he did clearly and loudly for all to hear, to cover his own back.
 
hudsonw said:
So the horses are knee deep in mud, no signs of hay on the floor and somebody called the RSPCA who are obviously more experienced about horses than the person who called in to them and they checked it out.
Seeing the mud fest they checked out the whole situation by having a quick look around and left you a card to tell you they had done it so not cause alarm if someone had reported a stranger wondering around...probably plating your horses mane?!!?
You've kicked off why, because your neighbours are fed up of living next to a ploughed field, a member of the public cared enough about your horses to call someone or the RSPCA bothered to act upon that call?
Your horses are fine, no damage has been done except to your pride, you have proof the call is closed which you can show to anyone who asks.
Let it go and get on with your life...there are more important things to worry about than a member of the public and a welfare charity caring!!!
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totally agree with this! ^^
 
Alphamare said:
Its idiocy. I hate this. i hate them. i hate meddlers. Its pathetic. I am entitled to hate them i have done nothing wrong and he trespassed.
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hudsonw said:
So the horses are knee deep in mud, no signs of hay on the floor and somebody called the RSPCA who are obviously more experienced about horses than the person who called in to them and they checked it out.
Seeing the mud fest they checked out the whole situation by having a quick look around and left you a card to tell you they had done it so not cause alarm if someone had reported a stranger wondering around...probably plating your horses mane?!!?
You've kicked off why, because your neighbours are fed up of living next to a ploughed field, a member of the public cared enough about your horses to call someone or the RSPCA bothered to act upon that call?
Your horses are fine, no damage has been done except to your pride, you have proof the call is closed which you can show to anyone who asks.
Let it go and get on with your life...there are more important things to worry about than a member of the public and a welfare charity caring!!!
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Hudsonw Well posted. Common sense after all the hysteria.
Alphamare. Crikey. Your anger is extreme. Its upsetting that someone was worried about the muddy field, but either get on with it or move the horses out to a drier field. Up to you really, RSPCA are ok with the mud..
 
My horses are not knee deep in mud!
The mud is hoof deep and slightly worse around the water troughs. All the horses have somewhere to go to get out of the mud if they want. There is still a but of grass and areas that are not water logged. I am here an hour early today and guess what they all still have haylage!!! I am tired of being treated like a criminal.

If the neighbours would like to look over green municipal fields I suggest they move back to the city!

Maybe I should start intensively farming pigs or chickens in this field. That would really wind them up.

Our mud is no worse than anyone elses and a lot better than some. I would never dream of just walking passed a muddy field and complaining. It's the countryside, it comes with guaranteed mud. People are ignorant, and we get treated like criminals.

And no I was not rude to the RSPCA guy. Firm perhaps and on guard. But not rude. I had trouble even getting a word in edge ways and had to talk over him a lot.
 
Why on guard? I think that to react this extremely you obviously feel bad about something. People tend to get angry and defensive when they know there is some truth in what others are accusing them of. You probably hate the fact they are in such mud, but know there is nothing you can do about it. You are probably just annoyed that your neighbours don't understand this. Don't take it out on te RSPCA who are just doin their job.
 
Hurt though it may,and be through gritted teeth, but with any authority be polite and obliging. Anger or rudeness just makes them more determined there may well be a problem,and be more intrusive.
Next visit I am def offering a cup of tea :D:D:D:D
 
OP, Are you always this angry about everything? Maybe it's just the agressive way you type but this toddler temper tantrum you seem to be throwing seems to be a bit of an OTT reaction to a concern raised by a random person.
From some of your hate filled rants I was expecting a comment like your horses had been removed and you werehaving to go to court to get them back, you'd been fined or banned from keeping animals...but nope, this reaction over a card being left on your gate saying everything is fine?!!?
What are you like if you get a parking ticket!!!!
 
EAST KENT said:
Hurt though it may,and be through gritted teeth, but with any authority be polite and obliging. Anger or rudeness just makes them more determined there may well be a problem,and be more intrusive.
Next visit I am def offering a cup of tea :D:D:D:D
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They will probably drop dead of shock at someone actually treating them like a human being... yep, that's what they are people, doing a hard job and seeing the things that many posters on here go 'oh, I can't bear to look, it's just too upsetting' when the videos go on YouTube...

Not perfect, not robots, just humans doing a difficult job.
 
We can't really comment on how we would have reacted - we weren't there and it does sound as if the RSPCA guy was rude. I don't accept this it is alright to trespass for all the reasons cited far more clearly in earlier posts. A line has to be drawn.

I have gone through the posts but have obviously managed to miss out a link - so I thought there was a note saying OP had been reported and had to ring in. Then when she did was told all was OK - what have I missed? I mean why ask someone to ring in when its all been fine?
 
Luci07 said:
We can't really comment on how we would have reacted - we weren't there and it does sound as if the RSPCA guy was rude. I don't accept this it is alright to trespass for all the reasons cited far more clearly in earlier posts. A line has to be drawn.

I have gone through the posts but have obviously managed to miss out a link - so I thought there was a note saying OP had been reported and had to ring in. Then when she did was told all was OK - what have I missed? I mean why ask someone to ring in when its all been fine?
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Your right and different people react in different ways. Some take it on the chin and get on with it and others throw their toys out of the pram and rant about it for days...
Someone I know got a card left when someone thought her horses didn't have water. After a quick check the inspector saw an automatic water trough around the corner out of view.
The quick thinking actions of the inspector stopped the case from going any further and a quick phone call from my friend to the inspector helped clear everything up. They told my friend that the case was closed and the card was left out of courtesy and procedures.
See how simple things can be and no need for the dramatic rude posts... Everyone lived happily ever after an no harm was done.
 
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