Change of approach by RSPCA on prosecutions

ALONG campaign by countryside pressure groups to urge the RSPCA to give up its role as both investigator and prosecutor in alleged cruelty cases appears to have paid off, with the charity announcing it is “exploring the transfer” of its role in taking animal abusers to court.

For several years the Countryside Alliance and other rural organisations groups have urged the RSPCA to hand over the role of pursuing prosecutions to the Crown Prosecution Service. Now the charity, which has undergone a dramatic re-organisation in recent years, has said it is doing just that, in order to focus on preventing frontline cruelty.

The RSPCA said it anticipates increased pressure on its prosecution service with tougher sentences for attacks on animals expected to come into force in England and Wales this year.

The charity’s chief executive Chris Sherwood said it was pleased it might soon see the maximum penalty for animal abuse be raised from six months to six years, adding: “But this also means a big change in the way cases are prosecuted and sentenced.

“Some of these cases will now move to crown courts and those carrying out the worst abuse could face lengthy jail terms.

“This places a huge responsibility on a charity’s shoulders. We believe this responsibility should sit with the Crown Prosecution Service, which is a statutory public body with regulatory oversight.”

Rene Olivieri, the charity’s chair, said it was “the right time to review this role as we look at where we want to be by 2030”.

Mr Sherwood clarified the RSPCA would not be stepping back from prosecutions, only from its role as the prosecutor in a matter. “Our inspectors would still be rescuing, investigating and collecting evidence of cruelty and abuse and seeking to hand this over to the CPS,” he said.

“We believe that there may be a better way to ensure animals get the justice they deserve by bringing together our expertise in investigations with the CPS’ skills and resources.”

The organisation, which became the world’s first animal welfare charity when it was founded in a London coffee shop in 1824, revealed the development around prosecutions as part of its new ten-year strategy.

The Together For Animal Welfare plan includes goals including more of the UK’s farm animals reared to RSPCA welfare standards, reducing pet abuse by 50% and ending the illegal selling of puppies and kittens in Britain.

Tim Bonner, who was a Westcountry farmer before joining the Countryside Alliance, where he is now chief executive, has been heavily involved in urging the RSPCA to reform following its perceived shift to become an animal rights organisation in 2012.

Mr Bonner told the Daily Telegraph dropping its role as prosecutor was a positive step for the RSPCA. “We fully understand that the RSPCA along with all responsible people will want to ensure... all animal cruelty is properly prosecuted and those who are committing offences are brought to justice.

“It will be better for everyone if they pass this role back to the CPS.”

Grahame Larter The RSPCA is planning to transfer its role as prosecutor in cruelty cases to the CPS