RSPCA-NOT-WHAT-THEY-SEEM: MORPETH SQUIRREL KILLER IS ARRESTED

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?

Friday 20 August 2010

MORPETH SQUIRREL KILLER IS ARRESTED

You just couldn't make this up could you?

A WILDLIFE campaigner who challenged the RSPCA to prosecute him for drowning a grey squirrel has been arrested.

Norris Atthey, 66, was arrested by police at his home in Ulgham yesterday (Wednesday) after refusing to take part in a voluntary interview with an RSPCA inspector.

He was taken into custody for questioning on suspicion of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.

His arrest follows a report in the 'Herald' last week in which Mr Atthey said he had drowned a grey squirrel to show it was a humane method of culling.

He was incensed after reading of the RSPCA's prosecution of Raymond Elliott in Burton last month for drowning a grey in a water butt and said he had acted to challenge the charity, arguing that he could show the killing was humane.

He believes grey squirrels should be killed to protect the native red species.

Speaking just minutes before his arrest on Wednesday, Mr Atthey told the 'Herald' he has no regrets about the drowning and is unconcerned about any action taken against him, revealing that he has recently had a cancer diagnosis.

"I had bowel cancer in 2001 and was given a 30 to 40 percent chance of surviving five years so I see anything in my life after 2006 as a bonus. I have just been diagnosed with prostate cancer so perhaps I see things differently to other people," he said.

"This action doesn't bother me. I think I'm right and I'm going to protect my red squirrels."

Mr Atthey was contacted by the RSPCA on Tuesday and refused to co-operate with their enquiries.

An officer returned to his home on Wednesday morning and Mr Atthey handed over a written statement, but refused to speak to the official.

Assistance was then requested from police to arrest him.

A Northumbria Police spokesman said: "Police were called to assist an RSPCA officer at an address in Ulgham at around 10.45am.

"Officers arrested a 66-year-old man at the address for causing unnecessary suffering to an animal."

Why were no arrests made when an RSPCA inspector slaughtered 10 German Shepherds with a captive bolt gun last year? Which is an act of truly barbaric cruelty? Drowning an animal classed as vermin or mercilessly dragging 10 gsd's one by one out of their home on a catchpole then dead bolting them at least once with a CBG and finally killing them by pithing with a screwdriver? We know they killed at least 65 dogs in this horrific way last year.

MORPETH HERALD