RSPCA - ONE OF THE RICHEST CHARITIES IN THE UK

In its ‘RSPCA policies on animal welfare’ it states under its Objects of the RSPCA that ‘The charitable objects of the RSPCA are to promote kindness and to prevent or suppress cruelty to animals

The RSPCA’s vision is, ‘To work for a world in which all humans respect and live in harmony with all other members of the animal kingdom

Under its Mission Statement, the RSPCA declares ‘The RSPCA as a charity will, by all lawful means, prevent cruelty, promote kindness to and alleviate suffering.’

And under their General Principles, the RSPCA states ‘The general principles on which the RSPCA operates, derived from extensive scientific evidence, is based on the fact that vertebrates and some invertebrates are sentient, and can feel pain and distress.’

What happened to all those honorable and admirable objects, visions, statements and principles when RSPCA inspectors arrived at an address in South Wales and proceeded to slaughter ten German Shepherd dogs with a captive bolt?

Monday 30 November 2009

RSPCA -WILL THE POLICE ACTUALLY PROSECUTE THEM FOR CRUELTY


Bill and Sylvia run Many Tears Rescue in Wales
This is from Sylvia's Blog
Then one more amazing thing, "Pets at Home" deciding to give us money for a new small van, these are all fantastic things... BUT I am deeply affected by the RSPCA shooting dogs with dead bolt gun. We thought having got over 7000 signatures and having an arranged meeting they were going to listen. We thought by showing them that Ireland band that method of killing dogs in their own pounds over 25 years ago they would see sense. We thought by finding out so many of their own staff and supporters throughout the country did not support this, they would stop. Instead they let us plan our questions, they let us plan this meeting, they told us who they were bringing to represent them, they agreed on a time a place, and never said a word differently. An MP coming on our behalf met a big wig RSPCA representative at parliament and on saying "see you at the meeting" was told "Oh I think we are cancelling that". But they never told us, we had to call them to verified this.
So now Bill my husband, a once part time cowboy from Tucson Arizona, a once big meat eater has bought a video on dead bolt guns and slaughter. It is graphic, of course not showing dogs (as only mentally ill people would consider doing that to dogs in my opinion) but farm animals (which is terrible also). Bill wants to get his facts so right that no one can ignore what the RSPCA have done and continue to do. Now every time I walk in my sitting room I see glimpse of the video he is researching time and time again and life is feeling so hideous, so terrible, so futile and those GSD's lives and deaths keep flashing into my mind.
Worse still people have told me of popping noises from the woods behind our local centre, of officers walking dogs off the van into the woods and then noises and of quotas of live dogs needing to be brought in. I don't know what to think but I cannot bare the thought of what the RSPCA does not want us to know.
If I had my own genie who would grant my own wish it would be Simon Cowel or Richard Branson with their millions would start a humane animal policing system. Where they would work with rescues and do good for animals. Then those not willing to listen, to care, to work with others and feeling beyond reproach would no longer be needed. This is not aimed at the actual centres whose staff care and work tirelessly to help animals, but to the others who will blindly slaughter simply because their commanders say.

Friday 27 November 2009

RSPCA INSPECTORS - ARMED AND DANGEROUS IF YOU ARE AN ANIMAL



FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST


And you thought they were nice people who cared about helping animals!!


1. Which RSPCA inspectors or other employees in your area hold firearms licences?


There are 12 RSPCA employees in the S**** W**** Police area that hold firearms certificates.


2. Can you name these individuals?


Section 17 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 requires S**** W**** Police, when refusing to provide such information (because the information is exempt) to provide you the applicant with a notice which:

(a) states that fact,

(b) specifies the exemption in question and

(c) states (if that would not otherwise be apparent) why the exemption applies .

In relation to your request for the above information, the following exemption applies :

Section 40 (2)- Personal Information (absolute exemption)


3. If licensed, what type and calibre of firearms are carried by each RSPCA employee?


RSPCA Inspectors are certificated to possess and use a .32” single shot pistol with a ported barrel. They are

also issued with a captive bolt utilising a .22” blank cartridge but these are not subject to firearms certificate control. There are a number of additional officers who are certificated to possess and use a 12g shotgun and tranquiliser rifle equipment. So how come they couldn't dart and tranquilise the 10 GSD"S they slaughteered and get them into kennels for assessment?


4. What reasons were given by the RSPCA employees for requiring the firearm(s)


The Inspectors possess the firearms referred to for the humane despatch of animals. There is nothing humane about being dragged out on a catch pole, hit at least once with a captive bolt gun and then pithed with a metal rod such as a screwdriver!


5. Where do RSPCA employees indicate that they will use the firearms?


RSPCA Inspectors seek to use the firearms wherever they have good reason to do so and wherever they can lawfully be. What is a good reason? When they fancy a bit of blood sport?


6. Do they have an 'open certificate'


In the sense that the firearms can be used wherever they have lawful access then the certificate might be likened to one possessed by a shooter in the form that is known as an “open” certificate . However it is legally possible for an Inspector to have access to land without the landowner’s permission, which would not be the

case for a certificate holder with an open condition in the usual understanding of that term. There may be other detailed legal considerations of this nature, that can be considered on a case by case basis . What piece of legislation allows an RSPCA inspector to access someone's land without permission? They have no power of entry or any right to trespass!!



Nice to know how your donations are being spent isn't it?

Monday 23 November 2009

RSPCA DESPERATE FOR PUBLICITY TRY AND CAPITALISE ON THE MISERY OF THE FLOODS IN CUMBRIA

HOW MUCH OF YOUR GENEROUSLY DONATED MONEY DID ALL THAT EXPENSIVE LOOKING GEAR COST?

I think we should make this a caption competition!!

So when did the RSPCA become an emergency service? Was is necessary to send 60 officers (they have no powers, just titles) to rescue a few cats and dogs - which they did after the flood waters had subsided.

But have no fear Tim Wass is here:

'The town of Cockermouth, which was one of the worst affected areas, has had to cancel Sunday's Christmas lights switch-on.But there are hopes the Christmas tree, which was salvaged from the wreckage by rescue workers, will be lit. Chief officer of the RSPCA , Tim Wass, said: "They want to send a clear signal that Cockermouth will get back on its feet as quickly as possible. So they should light a tree."Mr Wass and his team of around 60 officers have been assisting emergency services in their rescues over the last two days. "We have been rescuing people as well as animals."He and his team rescued two cats from a first-floor flat in Victoria Street, one of the worst hit areas.'



Add your captions here:


We rather like:

‘So inspector, how many animals did you save today?’……….’two dogs and a cat sir’……….’Well thats not very good is it’…………..’No sir, but I did shoot 10 GSD’s’………….’Good man, you’re promoted’.

The real heros in this awful mess are of course the police and the volunteers from the RNLI and Mountain Rescue who sought no publicity but just got on with the job in hand.

Thursday 19 November 2009

RSPCA DIGGING THEMSELVES A BIGGER HOLE


STILL NO SIGN OF REMORSE OR ACKNOWLEDGEMENT THAT AN ERROR OF JUDGEMENT MIGHT HAVE BEEN MADE.

Yet another reply from the ARSE PCA - slightly different version but digging themselves an even bigger hole.


Original Message -----
From: "Enqserv Enqserv"
To: XXXX
Sent: Wednesday, November 18, 2009 4:06 PM
Subject: Re: Ten German Shepherd dogs shot by RSPCA


Thank you for your email.

The RSPCA received a call from a member of the public in mid-June this year relating to ten German Shepherd Dogs at an address in South Wales.
The caller said the dogs' owner had died and the dogs had been living on their own.

The dogs, of varying ages, had been living wild within the house and in the opinion of the lead officer, who has 29 years of experience in the Society, they were too dangerous to be passed into human care or re-homed. They lived with an elderly couple. Where was the expert witness that assessed these dogs? The dogs were also suffering with a skin condition. They were never seen by a vet! Mange is treatable. We advised the family we would be unable to re-home these dogs and that, if this was the route they wanted to pursue, they might like to consider contacting other rescue organisations direct. But you said they were too dangerous to rehome!!! The family contacted us again and we explained that, regrettably, we believed euthanasia was the only option (cheapest) for these dogs and they agreed to sign them over to us. We do not think it is responsible for us to attempt to re-home animals we believe pose a danger to members of the public or other animals. But it's OK to tell the family to approach other rescues for help!

Our inspectors carefully considered what would be the most appropriate method of ensuring the dogs were put to sleep humanely. After taking all relevant factors in to account, the RSPCA inspectors involved decided that use of a captive bolt would be the most humane option.
The WSPA considers the captive bolt to be an unacceptable method for euthanaising cats and dogs because of the high risk of mis-stun. The WSPA do not use this method in any of their projects worldwide

Our inspectors are trained in different methods of euthanasia and the suitability of any particular method will depend on individual circumstances. Seems like they get plenty of practice with their firearms!!!

We would like to emphasise that the Society is keen to work with other organisations that share our love of animals and hold a similar belief in high welfare standards, and that people join in order to help animals. The RSPCA have a love of £££££££££££££ not animals anymore and they do not work with breed rescues - they consider themselves to be experts. They are certainly expert in killing.

Euthanasia is a last resort and is only used to stop further suffering. We aim to rehome unwanted animals wherever we can (our inspectors murder them in the back of their van where they can get away with it) and in 2008 we rehomed over 87,000 (killed 60,203) animals in total, including nearly 16,000 dogs - but killed 8,313 dogs and 12,329 cats.

The priority for everyone at the RSPCA, whether frontline inspectors, volunteers or staff, is to help animals (make money) and stop suffering - our pension pots suffering so we need to kill more animals to save money. The Society has to make extremely hard choices like this on a regular basis, these decisions are never taken lightly, and are always difficult for those involved. Big fat salaries, index linked pension, company cars - who gives a shit about animals!!

The Society will not be issuing any further statements on this issue. Because we keep digging ourselves a BIGGER hole.

Thank you for contacting the Society and for your obvious concern for animal welfare. Thank you for your obvious lack of concern

Kind regards
RSPCA HQ Advice Team

Remember that a captive bolt does not kill - it STUNS. The dogs were killed when the inspector shoved a metal rod such as a screwdriver into the hole made by the captive bolt - to mash up the dog brains.

IS THIS HOW YOU THOUGHT YOUR DONATION WOULD BE USED?

Tuesday 17 November 2009

'THE RSPCA IS A DEFUNCT AND HEINOUS AUTHORITARIAN ESTABLISHMENT THAT SHOULD NO LONGER EXIST IN BRITAIN'


At last, they are being exposed for what they are really about!!

The RSPCA is a defunct and heinous authoritarian establishment that should no longer exist in Britain. Run by joyless bureaucrats who treat humans with about as much respect as dish-rags, with no obvious benefit to the millions of pets in this country, it exploits the powers granted to it by the state and the contradictory, sloppily worded Animal Welfare Act 2006 to terrorise innocent animal-lovers across the UK. Most of the public don’t know how powerful a lobby group and propaganda machine the RSPCA actually is. It has successfully sewn up all the major bodies which play a part in implementing the AWA (not just the police and the media, but the general public and even law courts too), and uses them to hound people for their own financial gain.

Yes it is cheaper to prosecute than advertise. And since the RSPCA have the power to prosecute, they have been milking this power for all its worth – after all every court case brings publicity and therefore, donations. The budget is almost entirely funded by donations – in excess of £100 million a year. Staffs at the RSPCA are paid handsomely, and get free housing loans. The UK’s ‘Director-General” has an annual salary of £90,000. They recently built a new Head Quarters costing ten million pounds and other newly built local facilities now house more staff and fewer animals. Then there is the story of the RSPCA facility at Swansea. After ten years of fund-raising they felt ready to build a new and better centre. It now has excellent, spacious administrative offices, but room to keep just 27 dogs. They had previously been able to house 140. It’s good to know that the donations are being spent usefully. Presumably the dogs that can no longer be housed will put down immediately, on the grounds of their age, or some asserted (but unproven) defect.

A quick look at the facts will tell you everything you need to know. The RSPCA kills over half of the cats and dogs it comes into contact with. The AWA 2006 could see you incarcerated for letting your dog eat a piece of chocolate. The RSPCA regularly and illegally break into people’s houses and seize their pets for no good reason. They seem to have three ways of dealing with complaints about this by the way. One is destroying the evidence, such as by cremating the bodies, so the defendant can in no way prove that their pet was not suffering from injuries or disease at the time of their seizure. The second is by keeping the animal in a so-called ‘safe haven’ of solitary confinement so that the defendant cannot even access the animal in order for their vet or animal doctor to run an independent assessment of the animal prior to any trial proceedings. And let’s not forget their penchant of hiring unprofessional vets of their own, or vets that are willing to lie in court and produce one-sided arguments in order to gain favour with the RSPCA. Council members who question the RSPCA are silenced and dismissed. And finally, the very fact that the RSPCA equates ‘saving’ an animal with ‘putting it down’ should be enough to make our hairs stand on end. Just try typing ‘RPSCA victims’ into Google and see what you come up with.

Such case studies are growing in huge numbers every year – there is even a website called ‘Victims of the RSPCA’ where innocent pet lovers across the UK describe their shameful treatment at the hands of this all too forceful and frankly unnecessary authoritarian charity, such as the pensioner couple who were told their beloved cat was suffering from starvation, liver failure and blindness, and it would have to be put down. In fact it was only suffering from fleas. Had they let their cat go with the RSPCA inspector she would certainly have been murdered. Or the story of a dog shelter in Ghent, Wales which the RSPCA deemed ‘overcrowded’ despite the hours of care afforded to every dog from dedicated and genuine animal-loving workers. Under strict orders never to repeat the story, the workers were forced to slaughter over 70 dogs at the shelter, to comply with the RSPCA rules and regulations and many suffered from nervous breakdowns as a result. This story and countless others paint a very different picture of the RSPCA indeed – but even so their slick PR machine is as well oiled as it ever was and the public still remain woefully unaware that their primary concern has become how to keep the money flowing. Why do we keep letting them get away with this?

Maybe it is their PR machine and how good it is as bringing them out shining in every case. As recently as last year the RSPCA launched a campaign to stop children in schools from having classroom pets – a cornerstone of learning how to care for animals and take responsibility for them. In an increasingly bureaucratic age where even our children’s educations are being cross-examined, mutilated, revised and tested by our over-compensating government, a classroom pet can bring some much needed respite into a class and give teachers and pupils a rare opportunity to bond. Not anymore, thanks to the RSPCA who ‘worry’ that the bright lights and noisy conditions may distress the animals – while of course keeping them in equally noisy, cramped cages in their shelters wouldn’t be. Added to this their declaration that pet shops should not be allowed to sell pets as many pet-shop owners are unaware as to how to care for the animals, and what you have is a growing and frightening monopoly over animal ‘welfare’ and even pet ownership. And why should we doubt that this is what the RSPCA has had in mind all along? If they can wield their power over the smallest shelters in local areas, they can almost certainly do the same to pet shops and suddenly, nobody will be able to purchase a pet without first being vetted stringently by the RSPCA. And no matter how much “Animal Rights Activists” will bleat that this is a good idea – I certainly don’t want to see my wish to own a pet get dissected and scrutinised by a charity that is as ruthless as it is incompetent. As an aside, I want to add that I despise you so-called animal rights activists. Don’t you think it’s time that we began trusting each other in this country? Not every man woman or child that wants to own a dog has a view to abusing it you know. The result of 12 years of this right-curbing government is a people that sanctimoniously believe they have a right to vet every potential animal owner. It makes me sick. As a free-thinker, I despise a monopoly of any kind and I can warn you now that a monopoly of this kind will make it increasingly difficult to own a pet, increasingly impossible to look after it with your privacy intact, and almost guarantee that the welfare of animals be side-stepped as the ‘charity’ bloats and makes more and more money for itself.

The deeper one digs, the more disturbing the facts are that come out – council members sacked for daring to question their policies, animals being forcibly taken away and put down without the consent of their owners, and those same owners then being charged for kennelling costs. The organisation is rotten, corrupt to the core, and there is sparse evidence to suggest that they have improved the welfare of animals in this country. Putting animals down does not equate with ‘saving’ them and I resent their twisted logic on this matter. Given a choice between living on the street and being killed ‘humanely’ I know which one I’d pick. Why shouldn’t our pets, and indeed their loving and caring owners be given the same choice?

http://theconservativeblog.co.uk/?p=715

Friday 13 November 2009

RSPCA WELCOMES ANIMAL WELFARE REVIEW IN WALES

The RSPCA warmly welcomes the Welsh Assembly Government’s proposals to review the way dogs are bred and sold in Wales, and in particular its commitment to take a closer look at puppy farming.


Lets see now - how many prosecutions of puppy farmers have there been since the introduction of the Animal Welfare Act - hmmmm. Shall we ask the good old RSCA?


Throughout England and Wales, dogs and puppies are kept in appalling conditions and have to endure terrible suffering. Dog owners then have to pick up the pieces and deal with the heartache when the dogs develop health problems. Sadly many dogs die or have to be put to sleep.


We know and it has been going on for years. So what difference has the AWA made? Shall we ask the good old RSCA?


Any moves from the Welsh Assembly Government, local authorities and stakeholders to help prevent this suffering are positive steps forward.


Any moves from the good old RSCA to help prevent this suffering are positive steps forward.


The RSPCA has promoted the idea of compulsory microchipping for some time and is delighted by increasing support. We believe it would improve traceability of dogs and also help address the issue of lost and stray dogs. However, it should not be seen as a solution for all dog welfare problems.


Does the good old RSCA actually have any solutions for any dog welfare problems - apart from a captive bolt gun?


The Society is also very concerned about the use of electric shock collars and other dog training methods that work by causing the animal pain, stress or fear. There is no place for these items in modern dog training we look forward to them being banned in Wales in the new year.


Is the good old RSCA very concerned about their inspectors shooting dogs with captive bolt guns?


The RSPCA has also welcomed the Code of Practice For The Welfare of Rabbits. Perhaps they should have code of practice for their inspectors!! It is a really useful tool for people thinking about owning a rabbit and also for rabbit owners. It’s full of information regarding rabbit welfare and is very practical. It will also help RSPCA officers as they offer welfare advice to members of the public.


What like - you can't batter or kick your dog to death but we can shoot it for you!


http://www.politics.co.uk/opinion-formers/press-releases/animal-welfare/rspca-welcomes-animal-welfare-review-in-wales-$1339982$366366.htm

Wednesday 11 November 2009

FAT CATS AT THE RSPCA MILKING THAT CASH COW - £119m IN DONATIONS IN 2008!!!


RSPCA: Mark Watts, chief executive, received £105,500 in pay and perks in the year to April 2009.

From the RSPCA Trustees report 2008:

The salaries are shown on page 23. They come to £46,554,000 – plus £997,000 for temporary and agency staff.

Higher paid staff are as follows:

£60,000 - £69,000 - 9 people

£70,000 - £79,000 - 4 people

£80,000 - £89,000 - 2 people

£90,000 - £99,000 - 1 person

£100,000 - £109,000 - 1 person

Hmm. If each of the above is paid in the mid range this comes to a total of £1,255,000 per annum for only 17 staff.

'The leaders of Britain's charities face accusations that their six-figure pay packets are excessive and part of a culture of greed polluting the voluntary sector.

Research seen by The Independent shows that more than 50 charity chief executives received between £100,000 and £210,000 last year. In one case, a charity paid its chief executive nearly £400,000.

Unite, the union which represents 60,000 charity workers, said too many charity bosses were paying themselves more than the Prime Minister's salary of £197,000.

Rachael Maskell, Unite's national officer for the not-for-profit sector, said: "The excessive City pay culture is seeping into the remuneration packages of charity bosses and should be curbed. This is to be deplored, as it corrupts the ethos of the voluntary sector and is an insult to those, often on average incomes, who donate to charity.

"I think the general public will be shocked by the scale of the packages that some executives are being awarded. This sector is losing its sense of what real value is."'

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/city-pay-culture-has-spread-to-charities-union-says-1817725.html

Saturday 7 November 2009

RSPCA AND WSPA TRYING TO COVER THEIR ASSES!!!

digging a deeper and deeper hole for the RSPCA

WSPA and RSPCA joint statement (MUFFLED SNIGGERS)

Nov 6, 2009

Following some inaccurate media reports on a case from earlier in the year, which sadly required the RSPCA to euthanise 10 German Shepherd dogs, the RSPCA and World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) wish to make the following statement.

Reports that WSPA has been critical of the RSPCA on the use of captive bolt guns are incorrect. Both our organisations appreciate that sometimes there are sad and extremely difficult circumstances where this method of putting an animal to sleep is necessary.

Nobody said that the WSPA was critical of the RSPCA. What was said was that the RSPCA used a method of killing which is clearly stated as being unacceptable in the WSPA guidelines on euthanasia. Anyone can read these guidelines for themselves.

WSPA's views on bolt gun use

WSPA believes effective and humane use of a bolt gun requires a specialist combination of skills; knowledge of anatomical variation in dog breeds, as well as thorough training in humane slaughter and dog handling. RSPCA inspectors are incredibly well trained and should be considered specialists.

Inspectors at the RSPCA are trained to use these devices using protocols developed with the Humane Slaughter Association for a range of species. They are also trained to consider all other methods available and select the most humane and safe method depending on the situation.

The RSPCA does not use captive bolts as a matter of course. They are used only when other options are not suitable, and generally where they are used, it is mainly with farm animals.

If the captive bolt is not used as a matter of course, then how on earth can the WSPA claim that RSPCA inspectors are - ‘incredibly well trained and should be considered specialists’ – if they rarely use this method???

As the WSPA have highlighted – dogs heads are different, depending on the individual and the breed.

Captive bolts are not used for euthanasia of dogs in WSPA projects, and not listed as an acceptable method for euthanasia in the WSPA guidance (on the International Companion Animal Management - ICAM website).

This is because the bulk of WSPA's stray dog work is carried out in developing countries. As such, WSPA highlights humane slaughter methods that require less specialist knowledge in order to give the chance of a humane death to as many animals as possible.

So it’s okay to use this barbaric method to kill pets in the UK but in developing countries, more humane methods are encouraged for the control of stray dogs.

Working together for animal welfare

The RSPCA and WSPA do an enormous amount of good work for animals across the world. Examples of current campaigns include both organisations working to introduce animal welfare legislation in China, or tackling global farm animal welfare issues such as the long distance transport of live animals for meat, as well as helping stray and neglected animals whether in the UK or overseas. The RSPCA is a UK member society of the WSPA, which is the world's largest alliance of animal welfare organisations.


Because the heart beats under a covering of hair, of fur, feathers, or wings, it is, for that reason, to be of no account?

http://wspa.org.uk/latestnews/2009/WSPA_and_RSPCA_joint_statement.aspx

Wednesday 4 November 2009

NAKED RSPCA MEN AND FURRY ANIMALS - THERE'S A NAME FOR THAT!!!

Prof Peter Singer - RSPCA Ruling Council

'But sex with animals does not always involve cruelty.'

HAS DESPERATION NOW SET IN AS DONATIONS DRY UP?

Something very different
John said: "We were really keen to ensure the poses were tasteful. And we also wanted to showcase the range of skills our officers have, so we have included images of rope rescue, water rescues and working at heights as well as dealing with larger and more specialist animals like horses." -
and images of a bloody animal corpse shot dead with a captive bolt gun

Although some of the photographs feature animals, the aim of the calendar was to highlight the wide range of skills which RSPCA officers have, and to inform the public about the wide range of creatures and situations they deal with, including cliff and water rescues - and how to slaughter animals with a captive bolt gun

RSPCA senior regional press officer Jo Barr, who 'storyboarded' the calendar, said: "Although there are already a number of charity 'naked' calendars produced every year, we felt this would be something very different. - yes very different tasteless!!

An unusual project
"When you are a large respected organisation
(not anymore), and you embark on an unusual project like this there is always a concern that it may raise a few eyebrows. We are sure the little children will like it!! But the feel of the calendar is light-hearted and tongue-in-cheek and we hope that people will understand that it is all about raising funds and awareness of animal welfare at a time when fundraising is very challenging." - especially with so much negative press directed at them.

Remember that the RSPCA removed posts from protestors from their facebook site on the grounds that children might see them yet they are using inuendo like 'tongue in cheek' about naked men?

As well as pictures - some of which include animals rescued by the RSPCA - each page of the calendar will include information about the work of the RSPCA in the South and South West (that will be very brief) and important information about common animal welfare problems and ways the public can help. They can help by donating to a no kill organisation instead.

Tuesday 3 November 2009

ANOTHER DESPERATE PUBLICITY STUNT BY THE RSPCA TO TRY AND DRUM UP SUPPORT

IS THAT A BOLT GUN IN YOUR POCKET?

'Kicked' puppy died from virus

It did not have the fractured skull as the RSPCA had claimed - indeed there were apparently no signs of any injury whatsoever.

How much money did the RSPCA gain from the fund-raising exercise that they conducted in tandem with this shameful episode? Perhaps the 'charity' would consider donating this money to a proper animal welfare organisation, which spends its time looking after animals, rather than trying to prosecute non-existent hoodies on the basis of dodgy evidence from a vet. Perhaps they would consider apologising for all the remarks made by their PR department about "youth culture" in connection with the "stamping"?

An inquiry into the "kicking to death" of a 10-week-old puppy has ended after police found the animal had died from a virus and showed no sign of injury.

The Jack Russell was being walked by its owner, a 15-year-old girl, in Priory Park, St Neots, on Monday, when the RSPCA said it was attacked.

An RSPCA spokeswoman had called the attack "shocking and sickening".

But Cambridgeshire Police have now ended their investigation after veterinary tests.

'Intensive investigation'

A Cambridgeshire Police spokesman said: "A detailed veterinary medical examination revealed that it was most likely to have died suddenly from a virus and showed no sign of injury.

"Despite an intensive and thorough investigation, police have been unable to locate any other witnesses to an alleged incident in which the puppy was reportedly injured."

Police said no further action would be taken with regards to the owners of the dog.

An RSPCA spokeswoman said the charity had been informed of the ending of the investigation.

She said the first vet consulted had told the RSPCA that the dog's condition was consistent with the account given by the puppy's owners of the attack.

She said anyone with more information or any witnesses should contact the RSPCA.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cambridgeshire/8340811.stm


This case brings into focus the concerns that many sensible lawyers have about the proximity between prosecuting authorities and expert witnesses, and many welfare lawyers have about the particular proximity between the RSPCA and its experts. 33 news stories, many in national newspapers, covered the RSPCA's nationally advertised "appeal for information" about the "thugs" who "stamped on the puppy's head" and killed it - only 7 so far have covered the fact that it was an invention, supported by yet another (now nameless) dodgy expert report.