RSPCA should be stripped of prosecution powers say MP'

…….. and so, the rspca continue with their blind and suicidal approach to our world.

At the RSPCA AGM at the end of last month Chairman Daphne Harris announced a new strategy with a headline target to “get statutory powers for our inspectors to help them rescue animals”. However you dress this up it can mean only one thing. The RSPCA wants statutory powers of entry on to private property and intends to use its huge £140 million annual budget in pursuit of those powers. Not happy with being moral arbiter, investigator and prosecutor of criminal offences the RSPCA now wants the power to enter your land, access your garden and break down your front door if it believes an offence is being committed.

It seems that as they were without an effective CEO for all but 2 years, they appointed a man, a man with vision, and how long did he last? About 12 months.

There's a worrying and all inclusive aspect of omnipotence which surrounds the rspca and there seems no way of challenging or changing what's wrong. How on earth can a charity of this size be quite so out of touch with the real world? One possible answer is because the chair's called Daphne. It's the only logical answer which I can come up with, at the moment.

Alec.
 
Alec Swan said:
…….. and so, the rspca continue with their blind and suicidal approach to our world.

At the RSPCA AGM at the end of last month Chairman Daphne Harris announced a new strategy with a headline target to “get statutory powers for our inspectors to help them rescue animals”. However you dress this up it can mean only one thing. The RSPCA wants statutory powers of entry on to private property and intends to use its huge £140 million annual budget in pursuit of those powers. Not happy with being moral arbiter, investigator and prosecutor of criminal offences the RSPCA now wants the power to enter your land, access your garden and break down your front door if it believes an offence is being committed.

It seems that as they were without an effective CEO for all but 2 years, they appointed a man, a man with vision, and how long did he last? About 12 months.

There's a worrying and all inclusive aspect of omnipotence which surrounds the rspca and there seems no way of challenging or changing what's wrong. How on earth can a charity of this size be quite so out of touch with the real world? One possible answer is because the chair's called Daphne. It's the only logical answer which I can come up with, at the moment.

Alec.
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I am sure they will also add the cost of such action to the costs in court.
I had a visit a few weeks back from them. Its all to do with a malicious reporter thats been going on a while,all because I wouldnt sell them a horse they desperately wanted,they even reported me for neglect because I had a yearling that had burrs in its mane LOL
Anyhow after reminding the guy that he was already trespassing he then got very officious and suggested that I let him look at the horses. I said of course he could if he came back with a warrant and a proper police man . Funnily enough he has not been back. I saw the local senior inspector who I know well through working with them he apologised as he knows the history and was on holiday.

In short the RSPCA have all the powers they need to do their work,no animal will be better off if they have more power. All they need to do is contact the police and they can do their work, I personally think that check and balance is very important for everybody to have confidence that they are acting responsibly.
 
I have just heard on the news that the RSPCA is now seeking the power to seize animals they believe to be in distress without a warrant or police officer present. Hands up anyone who believes that RSPCA inspectors will never abuse that power or make a wrong judgement due to lack of knowledge?
 
popsdosh said:
In short the RSPCA have all the powers they need to do their work,no animal will be better off if they have more power. All they need to do is contact the police and they can do their work, I personally think that check and balance is very important for everybody to have confidence that they are acting responsibly.
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Fully agree.

I've only had good dealings with the RSPCA, and have fostered young ponies for them, but I strongly believe that they should stick to going through the legalities currently required.

My older mare was lame with a hock injury recently, but she was better off moving stiffly out in the field than being box rested. Some busy body passer by could have reported her as lame and I could have come home from a day out to find her removed. (She's fine again, now).
 
popsdosh said:
In short the RSPCA have all the powers they need to do their work,no animal will be better off if they have more power. All they need to do is contact the police and they can do their work, I personally think that check and balance is very important for everybody to have confidence that they are acting responsibly.
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I completely agree with you there, PD.
 
I'm worried. They don't need more powers, but we do need police to be more involved. All the authorities are quite happy to pass things to the RSPCA. I recently had cause to attend a meeting with our Local Animal Welfare Officer who said that they will always pass things over to RSPCA. I did point out that they are a charity after all, and don't have a bottomless pit either.

I don't think inspectors are knowledgeable enough. The one they told me was a horse expert thought sarcoids couldn't be treated and painfully thin horse was "just old, and they all get like that". I don't have enough faith in them to be able to make decisions without at least a vet.
 
meleeka said:
I'm worried. They don't need more powers, but we do need police to be more involved. All the authorities are quite happy to pass things to the RSPCA. I recently had cause to attend a meeting with our Local Animal Welfare Officer who said that they will always pass things over to RSPCA. I did point out that they are a charity after all, and don't have a bottomless pit either.

I don't think inspectors are knowledgeable enough. The one they told me was a horse expert thought sarcoids couldn't be treated and painfully thin horse was "just old, and they all get like that". I don't have enough faith in them to be able to make decisions without at least a vet.
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Agree with this, also agree with pd, these people have enough powers as it is. They did not even know the difference between a coloured foal i once reported who was about a month old, and the much older, spotted one the owner showed them, this bloke was meant to be a horse expert as well.
 
There's no way they should be granted more powers it would be a terrible step .
We have the police for entering property without a warrant when an offence is believed to be happening and that's all RSPCA should do get the police along when they need to .
If this looks becoming a reality it needs fighting will all the energy people can muster .
 
As I understand it RSPCA prosecute as a civil case, it very rare that the CPS take over the prosecution, this means that people are very rarely get legal aid.
They are already a law unto themselves. I think this is just away to get more publicity and power. Someone needs to start a lobby group to defend this and take evidence from people that have had their pets taken and 'disposed of'.
 
honetpot, such a body exists. A worthwhile body at that; here it is;

https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&r...g.org/&usg=AFQjCNHXDSV_9y_HCyk-OHruEg3ReMXdIQ

Considering the national sense of outrage at the recent conduct of the rspca, their condemnation by the Courts and the Charity Commission, it beggars belief that they are now attempting to, not as their last CEO suggested, to curtail their persecution of the public, but to strengthen and reinforce the authority (such as it is) which they already have. I won't be alone in being astonished at their display of arrogance.

The problem remains that the Council of the rspca refute any suggestions that they are damaging their already tenuous charter.

Alec.
 
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Alec Swan said:
honetpot, such a body exists. A worthwhile body at that; here it is;

https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&r...g.org/&usg=AFQjCNHXDSV_9y_HCyk-OHruEg3ReMXdIQ

Considering the national sense of outrage at the recent conduct of the rspca, their condemnation by the Courts and the Charity Commission, it beggars belief that they are now attempting to, not as their last CEO suggested, to curtail their persecution of the public, but to strengthen and reinforce the authority (such as it is) which they already have. I won't be alone in being astonished at their display of arrogance.

The problem remains that the Council of the rspca refute any suggestions that they are damaging their already tenuous charter.

Alec.
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We know now why the last man walked then. They never learn from a political viewpoint they are trying to use the situation as it is as they think they will get more assistance from certain sides of the house.
 
honetpot said:
As I understand it RSPCA prosecute as a civil case, it very rare that the CPS take over the prosecution, this means that people are very rarely get legal aid.
They are already a law unto themselves. I think this is just away to get more publicity and power. Someone needs to start a lobby group to defend this and take evidence from people that have had their pets taken and 'disposed of'.
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Not correct, sorry. The RSPCA do a private prosecution in the criminal courts. It's not a civil case. AFAIK, the legal aid for the defendant is the same as any other criminal prosecution. For example, Ian Huntley received legal aid to fight a private prosecution.
 
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