RSPCA ‘removing pets from vulnerable OAPs’
MPs criticise charity for ‘targeting’ the elderly, but RSPCA insists it will continue to bring cases
The RSPCA is “targeting vulnerable, ill and elderly” people and removing their pets, and should be stripped of its powers to prosecute cases of animal cruelty, an MP’s report has found. The MPs on a House of Commons select committee said that the RSPCA’s targeting of pet owners over alleged cases of animal cruelty had “damaged its reputation”.
THE RSPCA is “targeting vulnerable, ill and elderly” people and removing their pets, an MPs’ report has concluded as it called for the charity to be stripped of its powers to prosecute cases of animal cruelty.
The Commons select committee said the RSPCA’s pursuit of pet owners had “damaged its reputation”.
However, the charity said it would continue to prosecute cases of cruelty – potentially putting it on a collision course with Parliament and ministers.
Last night, Sir Edward Garnier, a former Conservative solicitor general, said: “It would be much safer if we have a clean break and put the prosecutions in the hands of the CPS ( Crown Prose- cution Service), rather than the RSPCA. If it requires legislation then the government should introduce the legislation as soon as possible.” Simon Hart, a Tory member of the committee and a former chief executive of the Countryside Alliance, said the RSPCA now believed it was “untouchable”.
The RSPCA, one of the world’s oldest animal welfare charities, has been criticised for the way it has investigated and prosecuted cases of animal cruelty and foxhunting. The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee said there was a “conflict of interest” in the charity’s role in bringing forward private prosecutions as well as investigating, campaigning and fundraising.
The committee called on ministers to change the law so that the RSPCA would continue to investigate animal welfare cases but then pass their findings on to the CPS or another body.
Neil Parish, a Tory MP and committee chairman, said the RSPCA “does important work investigating animal welfare cases”, but added: “It should step back from making prosecutions itself, continuing instead to work closely with the police and prosecution service to protect the welfare of animals.”
The committee highlighted evidence from the Self-Help Group for farmers, pet owners and others experiencing problems with the RSPCA, which said the public felt alienated by their “targeting of vulnerable, ill or elderly people” and the removal of their animals.
There had been occasions when RSPCA inspectors allowed vets to sign for the removal of animals without seeing it, although the charity recently is- sued guidance to stop this. Jeremy Cooper, the RSPCA’s chief executive, said 90 per cent of the public back its prosecutions’ policy.
He said the MPs’ recommendation “is not supported by the Government, vets, other major animal welfare charities, and local authorities, and flies in the face of the majority of evidence put before the committee”.
Mr Cooper added: “We will consider this report carefully while we will continue to prosecute those who starve, beat, stab, burn and abuse animals.”