tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80702042079608748922024-03-13T15:03:52.955-07:00RSPCA-NOT-WHAT-THEY-SEEMRSPCA figures for 2008 show that they destroyed 8313 dogs and 12,329 cats and they state that healthy animals are destroyed because they are opposed to keeping dogs in kennels for lengthy periods. How long is too long? That is a staggering 22 dogs and 33 cats per day.The RSPCA state that animals of unknown origin will be euthanised after only seven days!Justice4animalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10173758244083522428noreply@blogger.comBlogger64125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8070204207960874892.post-58014101037954715152012-12-30T10:49:00.002-08:002012-12-30T11:00:54.138-08:00<br />
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<span style="color: yellow; font-size: large;">Revealed: RSPCA destroys HALF of the animals that it rescues - yet thousands are completely health</span></div>
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<li>Shock figures reveal 3,400 animals put down for 'non-medical reasons'</li>
<li>Whistleblower claims she shot healthy dogs 'because there was no room'</li>
<li>Statistics show 10,000 fewer animals were rehomed in 2011</li>
<li>But charity's prosecutions of rogue pet owners leap 20 per cent</li>
<li>Countryside Alliance says charity should lose right to call itself Royal</li>
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The RSPCA destroys nearly half the animals it ‘rescues’ each year, with thousands being put down for non-medical reasons, shocking figures obtained by The Mail on Sunday reveal.</div>
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The animal-welfare charity destroyed 53,000 animals last year – 44 per cent of those it took in – leading critics to claim that the organisation spends too much time on prosecuting cases of neglect and cruelty and not enough on finding new homes for animals.</div>
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The charity insists the vast majority of the animals were put down to end their suffering, but it admits that last year alone 3,400 animals were destroyed for ‘non-medical’ reasons, such as the lack of space in kennels and catteries.</div>
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<b><span style="color: white;">Figures have revealed the RSPCA routinely puts down healthy animals, with 3,400 destroyed in 2011 for 'non-medical reasons (file picture)</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: white;">Death sentence: Human bolt guns, like the one pictured, are often used to kill pets</span></b></div>
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In 2009, the RSPCA, which is one of Britain’s biggest charities and receives £120 million a year in donations, stopped accepting stray animals and unwanted pets.</div>
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The number of animals re-homed has dropped from 70,000 in 2009 to 60,000 last year, while the number of convictions secured has leapt by 20 per cent. Figures obtained for the past five years show that 46 per cent of animals rescued by the charity were put down.</div>
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And today, The Mail on Sunday reveals a whistleblower’s account, raising concerns – denied by the organisation – that the charity kills more healthy animals than necessary.</div>
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Former RSPCA inspector Dawn Aubrey-Ward, who worked for the organisation from 2008 to 2010, said she came across numerous examples of animals destroyed because there was no room for them in shelters.</div>
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‘If there wasn’t any room in the nearby RSPCA home or one of a number of approved charities, we were supposed to euthanise them,’ she claims.</div>
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<b><span style="color: white;">The figures have also revealed the charity is rehoming fewer pets, with 10,000 fewer finding new owners in 2011</span></b></div>
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The RSPCA insists that euthanising animals is always a ‘last resort’, but a Mail on Sunday investigation has unearthed others criticising the charity’s approach.</div>
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Kent vet David Smith, who worked for the organisation for 12 years, said: ‘It seems to be all about prosecuting people now.</div>
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‘The RSPCA seems to have lost sight of its role as a charity that was set up to help people and animals.’</div>
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In the past two years, convictions secured by the charity have increased from 2,579 to 3,114. Last year, spinster Georgina Langley, 67, of West Hougham, Kent, was raided at her home by the RSPCA and had five of her 13 cats put down.</div>
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The charity prosecuted her for neglect, but Mr Smith, 62, came to her aid. After sending two of the cats’ bodies to the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) for an independent post-mortem, he said: ‘There appears to be no good reason why the RSPCA allowed these animals to be put to sleep.</div>
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‘The RVC post-mortems concluded the cats were healthy, with no signs of incorrect feeding or major problems with fleas or other illnesses.</div>
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‘They were very heavy-handed with an elderly lady and kept her standing out in her garden in the rain for hours while they searched her house.</div>
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<b><span style="color: white;">Despite fewer animals being found new homes, the RSPCA's prosecutions of rogue pet owners shot up by 20 per cent </span></b></div>
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‘All the cats required was some flea spray. When I started doing work for them, the inspectors rarely prosecuted people – it was mostly about helping people to care for the animals. They would go and check on OAPs and make sure they have flea treatment etc, and that just never happens these days.</div>
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‘They always seem to want to go for prosecution, no matter what, and I hear the same story from other vets.’</div>
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Following a three-day trial in May 2012, the RSPCA dropped 11 of the 13 charges against Miss Langley.</div>
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She pleaded guilty to failing to get veterinary care quickly enough for two of her animals. An RSPCA spokesperson said: ‘Five of the cats were put to sleep on veterinary advice. The reason we had to get these cats out of the property is that the conditions they were in were appalling.’</div>
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Another former RSPCA employee, Angela Egan-Ravenscroft, shared Ms Aubrey-Ward’s misgivings about the RSPCA.</div>
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The Countryside Alliance has called on the RSPCA to lose its Royal name, after the charity prosecuted the Heythrop hunt, pictured here on Boxing Day, for illegally killing foxes</div>
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Ms Egan-Ravenscroft was branch co-ordinator for the RSPCA London region between 1990 and 2000. Disillusioned with the way the charity was being run, she left and went to work for the Countryside Alliance.</div>
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She said: ‘Healthy, well-adjusted, rehomeable animals were being destroyed, and I didn’t want to be part of an organisation that did that. </div>
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‘The RSPCA has badly lost its way and all of its reasons for being set up in the first place have been subverted. The grass-roots animal welfare no longer exists.’</div>
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A spokesperson for the RSPCA said: ‘It is simply not true that the RSPCA routinely puts down healthy animals.</div>
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‘We do need to put animals to sleep when it is in their interests.</div>
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‘Nobody who works for the RSPCA wants to have to put rehomeable animals to sleep but it is a sad reality of the work that we do.</div>
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‘Although the trend is in decline, the RSPCA sometimes has to put some rehomeable animals to sleep simply because they cannot be found good homes.’</div>
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Not all organisations feel that it necessary to destroy healthy animals, however.</div>
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Dogs Trust, for example, still takes in strays, but refuses to euthanise healthy animals.</div>
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<b><span style="color: red;">COUNTRYSIDE ALLIANCE: 'CHARITY SHOULD LOSE RIGHT TO CALL ITSELF ROYAL'</span></b></h2>
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The RSPCA has become a ‘politically motivated animal rights organisation’ and should be stripped of its Royal name, according to Sir Barney White-Spunner, head of the Countryside Alliance.</div>
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He spoke out after the Heythrop, David Cameron’s local hunt in Oxfordshire, was convicted of illegally killing foxes after a private prosecution brought by the RSPCA. </div>
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The case cost the RSPCA almost £327,000 which the judge said was ‘staggering’ and suggested ‘members of the public may feel RSPCA funds can be more usefully employed’.</div>
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Sir Barney said: ‘Why is this Society still Royal? I don’t want to involve the Royal Family, but I will raise it with the relevant committee in Whitehall.</div>
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‘It was once a great institution. But the direction it’s going is very sad. The RSPCA is becoming a politically motivated animal rights organisation and I don’t think that’s why people give it money. We will look to the Charity Commission to investigate if the RSPCA is in breach of its charitable objectives.’</div>
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The RSPCA said: ‘The RSPCA and its trustees have acted entirely within the society’s charitable objectives and procedures and Charity Law.’</div>
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RSPCA whistleblower claims she was forced to put down fit pets during her time with charity</div>
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A former RSPCA inspector claims the charity is killing more healthy animals than necessary by branding them ‘unsuitable for rehoming’.</div>
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Speaking exclusively to The Mail on Sunday, Dawn Aubrey-Ward says she was forced to put down many healthy pets during her two years with the organisation.</div>
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Ms Aubrey-Ward claimed large numbers of animals, particularly dogs, were put to sleep after being classed ‘unsuitable for rehoming’, but that the definition could be widely drawn to often include older animals, those needing veterinary care, dogs deemed ‘aggressive’ or larger dogs which were ‘hard to home’.</div>
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<b><span style="color: white;">Proud: Dawn Aubrey-Ward receives an RSPCA award for rescuing a lamb. She has accused the charity of killing animals that are fit and healthy</span></b></div>
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The RSPCA strenuously denies Ms Aubrey-Ward’s claims, describing her as a ‘disgruntled former employee’.</div>
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Ms Aubrey-Ward, 44, a divorced mother of four from Martock, Somerset, joined the RSPCA as a trainee inspector in 2007. But she soon found herself at odds with what she described as its ‘antiquated military-style’ regime which placed ‘prosecution and persecution’ of owners ahead of protection of their pets.</div>
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Ms Aubrey-Ward went on: ‘The RSPCA’s image was that they care for animals, prevent cruelty and help and advise people with animals. I was horrified when I learned we were going to have to put down healthy animals because we didn’t have room for them. It didn’t fit with their public image.’</div>
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She won an award from the RSPCA for her part in the rescue of a lamb and received glowing reports for her good work. But when she began to question the practice of putting healthy animals to sleep, she says she found her job was at risk.</div>
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‘If there wasn’t any room in the nearby RSPCA home or one of a number of approved charities, we were supposed to euthanise them,’ she said.</div>
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Early in her training, Ms Aubrey-Ward says, she saw a young rottweiler put into an RSPCA van for a check-up.</div>
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‘The dog, which was surely frightened, growled at the inspector with me. The other inspector said, “That’s it – this is an aggressive dog.” It was put down soon afterwards.’</div>
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Later, she rescued a heavily pregnant ‘staffie’ bitch from a cruel owner, along with an aggressive male dog. ‘With some TLC in a nice kennels, and someone to work on her behaviour, she would have been OK. The dog warden and I tried hard to find a space for her but we couldn’t,’ she said.</div>
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<b><span style="color: white;">Caring: Dawn Aubrey-Ward with her pets</span></b></div>
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‘The warden took the dogs to RPSCA Hillingdon, where a vet said they should be put to sleep if nowhere could be found for them, and they were killed round the back. The dog warden noosed them and I shot them.’</div>
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Ms Aubrey-Ward said she was reprimanded for giving help and advice instead of issuing cautions, including the case of an ill, elderly man whose cat lay dying on his lap.</div>
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She took the cat away and put it down and was then upbraided for not cautioning the cat’s devastated owner for neglect.</div>
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SHE said: ‘The RSPCA won’t work with people – they see every case as a chance to prosecute, to generate publicity for themselves.’</div>
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Her career with the RSPCA ended when her bosses accused her of ‘stealing’ a rescued tortoise which she’d taken home ready to take to an animal centre.</div>
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Eventually, after a year of negotiations, she resigned, suffering a mental breakdown and a wrecked marriage, partly caused, she said, by her being posted away from home for long spells.</div>
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An RSPCA spokeswoman said: ‘Animals in our care are never routinely euthanised on the spot, and certainly not because there are no spaces. Our inspectors regularly go out of their way to find a place many miles away. Over 70 per cent of “on the spot” euthanasia of animal casualties the RSPCA is called out to deal with involve wildlife.</div>
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‘RSPCA inspectors are not allowed to use euthanasia drugs on companion animals. They are taken to a veterinary surgeon, who makes an expert assessment.</div>
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‘Prosecution is always a last resort. Only a small percentage of the cases the RSPCA investigates end in prosecution.’</div>
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The RSPCA’s chief vet Dr James Yeates said: ‘We rehome thousands of animals, but we cannot keep up.</div>
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‘So we do the best thing in a bad situation, and sometimes this means having to put to sleep rehomable dogs, cats and rabbits.’</div>
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The RSPCA added: ‘Dawn Aubrey-Ward is a disgruntled former employee who was subject to a disciplinary investigation for alleged theft of animals. She left with matters still pending.’</div>
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<span style="color: white;"><b>Lets just hope a few more 'disgruntled former employees' come forward and blow the whistle on what's really going on at the EVIL RSPCA. How many animals have suffered in their care. They are an utter disgrace and should face prosecution for fraud and cruelty under the Animal Welfare Act.</b></span><br />
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<span class="s1">By <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/search.html?s=&authornamef=Nick+Craven">NICK CRAVEN</a> and <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/search.html?s=&authornamef=Lynne+Wallis">LYNNE WALLIS</a></span></div>
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<br />Justice4animalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10173758244083522428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8070204207960874892.post-57182559039346597822010-11-30T12:20:00.000-08:002010-11-30T12:33:11.218-08:00RSPCA FRAUDSTERS LOSE GILL CASE<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyvwYgIvDNKBO2olufBb7qNG3C04jZ5ApI4ATBJ2wanr8IO9CnLgLIaFYNkHBSP_vK_it7ymRzGuOX9gTNyFmTvzPxBNLPxFyVEQKrNS-RYuF3KVOiPPE3gX-ZcPN0-LuuHWwC5SClXd8/s1600/embezzle_390.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 234px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyvwYgIvDNKBO2olufBb7qNG3C04jZ5ApI4ATBJ2wanr8IO9CnLgLIaFYNkHBSP_vK_it7ymRzGuOX9gTNyFmTvzPxBNLPxFyVEQKrNS-RYuF3KVOiPPE3gX-ZcPN0-LuuHWwC5SClXd8/s320/embezzle_390.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545440673646892130" /></a><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">RSPCA loses court appeal against £2.35m will ruling</span></span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Charity failed to reverse high court decision that overturned a will leaving them a 287-acre farm in north Yorkshire</span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Congratulations to Christine Gill and may those money grabbing fraudsters at the RSPCA now leave her alone in peace</span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; "><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">The RSPCA has lost a court of appeal </span></span><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2010/nov/29/rspca-challenges-will-ruling" title="" style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-collapse: collapse; text-decoration: none; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">challenge</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"> against a ruling that</span></span><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/oct/10/daughter-rspca-will" title="" style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-collapse: collapse; text-decoration: none; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">overturned a will</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"> leaving them a £2.35m farmhouse and land in Northallerton, North Yorkshire.</span></span></p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">University lecturer Christine Gill, 59, an only child, had won a high court battle to overturn her parents' will that left their 287-acre farm to the charity, after claiming her "domineering" father coerced her mother into making it.</span></span></p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">Gill said in a statement: "It was a matter of huge regret and disappointment to me and my family that the RSPCA chose not to accept the original decision, forcing us to endure another court hearing."</span></span></p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">She added: "We can now settle back into our lives on the family farm that I love, and which I have dedicated many years to maintaining."</span></span></p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">Before the appeal, a number of </span></span><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/charities" title="More from guardian.co.uk on Charities" style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-collapse: collapse; text-decoration: none; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">charities</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"> said they were "very concerned at its possible implications for the charity sector".</span></span></p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">Wonder who is picking up the tab for the courts costs.</span></span></p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">£120m in a year in donations and still scrounging. Remember that this money does not go the the branches, which are all independent franchised businesses responsible for their own fundraising</span></span></p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><b>Remember that in 2009 the RSPCA killed a total of 63,000 animals - a rise of over 3000 on the previous year. Nice to know how your donations are spent</b></span></span></p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2010/nov/30/rspca-loses-appeal-will-ruling">Guardian</a></span></span></p></span></span></div>Justice4animalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10173758244083522428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8070204207960874892.post-54834925841235353612010-11-08T10:19:00.001-08:002010-11-08T10:39:18.914-08:00ANIMAL LOVERS FURY OVER RSPCA'S TREATMENT OF STRAY DOG<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ZxGpWMm_CPGFEP1WXO8WQBZFVRDiTKQKJrb0aButXKWsRoBTLC4SawFhY1ZVMebHUvNMKQZI6UCSDxZTbfMo7RJn8lCKRf322mpHsS0D5ylvkA56J62CjPUN01mnRhSxDAemSAwXnW0/s1600/rspca-fraud.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 235px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ZxGpWMm_CPGFEP1WXO8WQBZFVRDiTKQKJrb0aButXKWsRoBTLC4SawFhY1ZVMebHUvNMKQZI6UCSDxZTbfMo7RJn8lCKRf322mpHsS0D5ylvkA56J62CjPUN01mnRhSxDAemSAwXnW0/s320/rspca-fraud.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537245311106283842" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">No surprises here since they no longer help stray dogs. Too expensive to actually help a needy animal with so many fat cats to look after at H/Q</span></b></div></span><div><br /></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">ANIMAL lovers who discovered a dog almost dying in the street called in the cops and the RSPCA – but were shocked to be told by the charity to “let it go, and it will find its own way home”.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">Last night they lashed out at the RSPCA for not turning out to help the pooch, which was in a terrible state.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">Tina Fitzpatrick, who was one of those who found the French Bullmastiff dodging traffic on Queslett Road in Great Barr, Birmingham, said: “The dog was in awful condition.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">“It kept collapsing. It had belonged to somebody but had been badly neglected.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">“It was dehydrated, underweight and had marks around its neck from where it had been kept on a chain.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">“Its mouth was full of ulcers and all its teeth had gone from gnawing at the chain. It was terrible to see.”</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">The passers-by rang the police, who managed to get the dog to safety at the side of the road and then contacted the RSPCA.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">What happened next outraged Tina, 41, of Kingstanding, who has three dogs herself.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">“The RSPCA said they didn’t have any wardens free to come out and collect the animal,” she said. “The police officer asked, ‘what shall I do with the dog?’ and the RSPCA told him, ‘just let it go and it will find its own way home’.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">“He was shocked and couldn’t believe it. There was no way you could let the dog go. What would have happened if it had got hit by a car or run into the road and caused an accident?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">“It wasn’t a small dog. It was enormous, the size of a small Shetland pony.”</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">The dog stayed with a friend of Tina’s overnight, and they rang an emergency vet.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">Yesterday Tina rang Birmingham City Council, which despatched a warden to collect the dog to take it to a vet for treatment. It was later due to be transferred to Birmingham Dogs Home.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">“I know the dog wasn’t injured,” said Tina. “But we told the RSPCA it was in a bad way and kept collapsing. They still refused to come out. For them to tell us to let the dog loose on a busy road was irresponsible and unforgivable.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">“I’m disgusted by their behaviour. I used to give money to them, but won’t anymore.”</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">But a spokeswoman for the RSPCA said the organisation would never have told anybody to release a dog on the road.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">“If a dog is injured or in danger then we always try our best to get there,” she said.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">“If an inspector is not available then we advise the caller to contact the police, or call out a vet. We would never, under any circumstances, tell someone to just let the dog go, because that would put the animal in danger.”</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">In this situation, she said, the dog was the responsibility of the council’s wardens because it was not injured,</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">“If there’s nothing wrong with the dog then it’s the local authority who should take it,” she said.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">“They receive money from the Government for this service.”</span></span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">So where were your inspectors this time Mr Waas? Of course, no cameral rolling, no mileage in this case.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 15px; font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><em style="font-style: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">You can fool some of the people</span></b></span></em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you can not fool all of the people all of the time. </span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">...</span></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><a href="http://www.sundaymercury.net/news/midlands-news/2010/11/07/animal-lovers-fury-over-rspca-s-treatment-of-stray-dog-66331-27614137/2/">Sunday Mercury</a></span></span></div>Justice4animalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10173758244083522428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8070204207960874892.post-13628299741327979082010-10-30T06:26:00.000-07:002010-10-30T06:34:08.590-07:00JAILED FOR DROWNING CATS YET RSPCA GET AWAY WITH BRUTALLY SLAYING 10 GSD'S<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFCGDCNf3_X61C-dRxFeJ8pcP-c92ejZz1tYKNiA3r9S8fwuoEm9tBIxzQithSkYGdf9Fw9VeXbZfxGATcztPFF2oMcFpLtlsDQHQ6D2voajjOpIgh1O3Tqli2cb7cdhRy3ht72le1Gyc/s1600/julie_carter.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFCGDCNf3_X61C-dRxFeJ8pcP-c92ejZz1tYKNiA3r9S8fwuoEm9tBIxzQithSkYGdf9Fw9VeXbZfxGATcztPFF2oMcFpLtlsDQHQ6D2voajjOpIgh1O3Tqli2cb7cdhRy3ht72le1Gyc/s320/julie_carter.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533830374488901090" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><b>Oxfordshire woman jailed for drowning eight cats</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><b>Julie Carter claimed she could not afford the phone call to have the animals rescued</b></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">The RSPCA couldn't afford the phone call or maybe couldn't be bothered, to help the 10 German Shepherds left on their own after their owner died in 2009. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">An Oxfordshire woman who admitted drowning eight cats in a bath has been jailed for 12 weeks.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">Julie Carter, 43, of Bicester, told RSPCA staff she could not afford a phone call to have the cats rescued so killed them one by one over a week.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">The cats were all aged between one and three years old. Another three were later rehomed.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">Carter told Banbury magistrates she had killed the cats because housing officials had told her to remove them.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">The RSPCA said that when an inspector later visited her property, she had initially lied, saying the animals had been put to sleep by a vet.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">'No choice'</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">She later confessed, saying she had not had enough money to contact any animal charities, and had drowned the pets in a baby bath instead.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">She told the inspector "she felt she did not have any other choice," the RSPCA said.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">Carter, of Herald Way, who had admitted a charge of causing unnecessary suffering at an earlier hearing, was also banned from keeping animals for life.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">Speaking after the case, RSPCA inspector Doug Davidson said: "The callous and brutal drowning of her eight pet cats is not acceptable in the 21st Century.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><b>So the slaughter of 10 German Shepherds with a captive bolt gun after their owner had died by an RSPCA inspector, wasn't callous and brutal!! It seems that there is one rule for them and another for everyone else. Nice to know how your donations are being spent.</b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">"She did not even attempt to seek help to rehome the animals, and instead caused them unnecessary suffering by drowning them."</span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-11653149">Propaganda media</a></div>Justice4animalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10173758244083522428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8070204207960874892.post-64281581026139289832010-10-28T10:46:00.001-07:002010-10-28T10:52:33.626-07:00RSPCA KILL BAMBI FOR BEING TOO TAME!!!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEfE_IvZoq1Fx0t1RkCg6aS1TeBinbR0ZLHDEXZaXa83_K5FCqD7Q_CmrG64GPfttqwP_STseTMH3Y-nBrdTEuJQs9ue7dsy5T2hb5y8Ptlj4jQTuwawphipRG-qBkaHfX9jrAEhYoQ34/s1600/bambi.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 286px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEfE_IvZoq1Fx0t1RkCg6aS1TeBinbR0ZLHDEXZaXa83_K5FCqD7Q_CmrG64GPfttqwP_STseTMH3Y-nBrdTEuJQs9ue7dsy5T2hb5y8Ptlj4jQTuwawphipRG-qBkaHfX9jrAEhYoQ34/s320/bambi.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533154913066249090" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 12px; line-height: 12px; "><h3 style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: 1.3em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">RSPCA volunteer quits after ‘miracle’ deer is put down</span></span></h3><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Hands up those that thought the RSPCA were an animal welfare charity!!</span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; line-height: 1.6em; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">A FURIOUS animal charity volunteer has resigned and launched a scathing attack on the RSPCA after it put down a young deer that miraculously survived a car accident.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; line-height: 1.6em; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">Mervyn Symonds, aged 63, said the RSPCA had “lost its way” after their specialists killed the healthy male fawn because it was “too tame”.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; line-height: 1.6em; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">The deer was hailed as a miracle when it emerged unhurt from its mother’s womb after a car accident in Chapeltown Road, </span></span><a href="http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/search/?search=Turton" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">Turton</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">, in June.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; line-height: 1.6em; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">The story came to a sad end, however, when RSPCA deer experts at a centre in Norfolk tried to release the fawn into the wild.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; line-height: 1.6em; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">They said the young roe deer had to be put down because it was too tame and posed a danger to humans.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; line-height: 1.6em; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">Now Mr Symonds, who has spent the last five years volunteering for the RSPCA, has quit because he is so angry and upset.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; line-height: 1.6em; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">Mr Symonds, of Newbury Road, </span></span><a href="http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/search/?search=Little+Lever" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">Little Lever</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">, said: “I felt that I was helping animals by working for the RSPCA.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; line-height: 1.6em; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">“I thought they were against cruelty to animals, but the shocking story of them killing this poor defenceless deer has really stunned me.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; line-height: 1.6em; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">“Even I know organisations that would have taken this poor animal in, so they must be able to think of alternatives.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; line-height: 1.6em; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">“I could understand if it was ill or injured, but this was a healthy animal. I think the RSPCA have lost their way.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; line-height: 1.6em; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">“They’re more interested in money than helping animals.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; line-height: 1.6em; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">“To kill this poor animal goes against everything they should stand for — it’s cruel, and I’m quite upset about it.”</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; line-height: 1.6em; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">Mr Symonds, a retired carpet shop owner, volunteered twice a week at the RSPCA shop in Chorley Old Road.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; line-height: 1.6em; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">He handed in his letter of resignation yesterday, along with a furious letter of complaint about the RSPCA’s handling of the matter.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; line-height: 1.6em; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">An RSPCA spokesman said: “We are obviously disappointed to hear this individual no longer wishes to be a volunteer.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; line-height: 1.6em; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">As the </span></span><a href="http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/jobs" target="_blank" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">work</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"> we do to rescue, rehome and promote animal welfare attests, we do care about animals.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; line-height: 1.6em; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">“Obviously this particular incident is very sad. Our staff spent many hours over the last five months hand-rearing the deer in the hope he could be successfully released back into the wild.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; line-height: 1.6em; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">“We took the chance we could rear it knowing we might have to euthanase it if it sadly proved unsuitable for a life in the wild.”</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; line-height: 1.6em; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><a href="http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/districtnews/districtatog/8480638.RSPCA_volunteer_quits_after____miracle____deer_is_put_down/">BOLTON NEWS</a></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; line-height: 1.6em; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Yet in another article: </span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; line-height: 1.6em; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; "></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 5px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF33;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Chief Insp Ian Briggs, of the RSPCA’s special operations unit, said: “People have this idea that poaching is just a little old man getting a few rabbits for the pot from under the gamekeeper’s nose, but it’s not.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 5px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF33;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“A lot of the time, it involves gangs armed with firearms and dogs which are specifically bred for taking down game.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 5px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF33;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“It’s a massively serious problem from the RSPCA’s point of view.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 5px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF33;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“The people who do this like killing wildlife and the fact they can make money on the side is a bonus.”</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 5px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">That just about describes the RSPCA perfectly - they kill and make lots of money out of doing it!!</span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF33;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.birminghampost.net/news/west-midlands-news/2010/10/25/poacher-gangs-bring-violence-to-staffordshire-countryside-65233-27539799/">BIRMINGHAM POST</a></span></span><p></p></div></span>Justice4animalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10173758244083522428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8070204207960874892.post-30708458523883086382010-10-21T07:24:00.000-07:002010-10-21T07:32:56.063-07:00RSPCA TAKING OUT THE COMPETITION - ANOTHER SMALL RESCUE RAIDED<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV5ZWpTwWSSQKORh3S91qo3_F95fvHB-PUiIrofGryUCYr2cmc_p5QSTqStN2yvBDaWNHzOgA0GDbX8kaslt1l4xshOxBJjzTWtERjk7naBS8TFRjp0bFQ5JzVxkPNktinBgRvmCn_yNQ/s1600/benfleet.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 241px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV5ZWpTwWSSQKORh3S91qo3_F95fvHB-PUiIrofGryUCYr2cmc_p5QSTqStN2yvBDaWNHzOgA0GDbX8kaslt1l4xshOxBJjzTWtERjk7naBS8TFRjp0bFQ5JzVxkPNktinBgRvmCn_yNQ/s320/benfleet.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530505329091947170" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 12px; font-family:Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><h3 style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background- font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: 1.3em; font-family:Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;color:transparent;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Sanctuary could be shut by RSPCA cruelty probe</span></span></h3><div><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background- line-height: 1.6em; color:transparent;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Yet another raid on another small sanctuary. It seems that the RSPCA like to target smaller rescues. Is it an attempt by them to make it increasingly difficult for small rescues to exist thereby forcing many to close? Just think, soon they will control all rescue which means more money for them and more animals for them to kill!!!</span></b></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background- line-height: 1.6em; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color:transparent;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">AN animal charity which has saved the lives of countless creatures, could be forced to close after 30 years.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background- line-height: 1.6em; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color:transparent;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The Rescuers Wildlife Sanctuary in </span></span><a href="http://www.echo-news.co.uk/search/?search=Benfleet" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Benfleet</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> has been told to stop taking in poorly animals, pending the outcome of an investigation by the RSPCA.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background- line-height: 1.6em; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color:transparent;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">It is bringing 17 charges of cruelty against the founders of the charity Veronica Mepham and her husband Rye.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background- line-height: 1.6em; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color:transparent;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The sanctuary is home to about 40 owls and parrots, formerly kept as pets, as well as foxes and rabbits not able to survive in the wild because of injuries.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background- line-height: 1.6em; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color:transparent;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Veronica, 70, who lives at the centre in Watlington Road, strongly denied the charges.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background- line-height: 1.6em; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color:transparent;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">She said “We have put 30 years of blood, sweat and tears into the sanctuary.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background- line-height: 1.6em; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color:transparent;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“We are devastated by this. Looking after animals has been our lives. It’s our passion.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background- line-height: 1.6em; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color:transparent;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“I would never have harmed an animal.”</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background- line-height: 1.6em; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color:transparent;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Despite suffering three strokes in recent years, Veronica has still maintained her work at the charity.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background- line-height: 1.6em; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color:transparent;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">She does all the fundraising to pay for the care of the animals.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background- line-height: 1.6em; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color:transparent;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The couple and helpers nurse back to health abandoned baby foxes, hedgehogs, squirrels and other wildlife and always avoid putting an animal down unless absolutely necessary.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background- line-height: 1.6em; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color:transparent;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Veronica added: “I dread to think what will happen if they close us down.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background- line-height: 1.6em; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color:transparent;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“There is nowhere else for animals to go in this area.”</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background- line-height: 1.6em; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color:transparent;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The charity is well known in the community and Veronica regularly goes to schools for free with her animals to educate youngsters.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background- line-height: 1.6em; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color:transparent;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Squirrels from the sanctuary even became movie stars when they starred alongside Johnny Depp in the remake of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background- line-height: 1.6em; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color:transparent;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The creatures were handpicked to be in the 2005 Tim Burton movie for the famous nut room scene.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background- line-height: 1.6em; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color:transparent;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Yesterday she was due to visit Funhouse Pre School in Laindon, to show the pupils some hedgehogs. Veronica has now had to rehome all her hedgehogs, so could not make the appointment.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background- line-height: 1.6em; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color:transparent;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The RSPCA court hearing is due to take place in November. A spokesman for the RSPCA would not confirm details of the charges at the time of going to press.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; line-height: 1.6em; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><a href="http://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/8449148.Sanctuary_could_be_shut__by_RSPCA_cruelty_probe/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">ECHO NEWS</span></span></a></p></div></span>Justice4animalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10173758244083522428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8070204207960874892.post-8635821123949796682010-10-12T07:55:00.000-07:002010-10-13T08:24:48.008-07:00MORE SHOCKING FOOTAGE FROM AN RSPCA FREEDOM FOOD EGG FIRM<object width="400" height="225"><param name="movie" value="http://news.sky.com/sky-news/app/skynewsflash/OBU_Player_30.swf?type=embedded&baseColor=6710886&highlightColor=16711680&channel_key=News&ad_channel=2169867&ad_alias=pre_skynews_skynews_Home_UK_News&networkId=999.1&unique_id=034773&media_title=Sky News Exposes Hen Mistreatment&attrib_url=http://news.sky.com&smoothing=true&tracking_account=DM530320KARC&video_url=http://static1.sky.com//feeds/skynews/latest/flash/061010-farrell-eggs-2100.flv"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://news.sky.com/sky-news/app/skynewsflash/OBU_Player_30.swf?type=embedded&baseColor=6710886&highlightColor=16711680&channel_key=News&ad_channel=2169867&ad_alias=pre_skynews_skynews_Home_UK_News&networkId=999.1&unique_id=034773&media_title=Sky News Exposes Hen Mistreatment&attrib_url=http://news.sky.com&video_url=http://static1.sky.com//feeds/skynews/latest/flash/061010-farrell-eggs-2100.flv&smoothing=true&tracking_account=DM530320KARC" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="225"></embed></object><br /><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;"><h2 style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.1em; font-size:1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">An investigation by Sky News and Viva has uncovered evidence suggesting Britain's largest egg producer is contravening strict guidelines on animal welfare.</span></span></h2><div><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 8px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-size:0.875em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Noble Foods own hen farms accredited to the</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span><a title="Go to their website" href="http://www.rspca.org.uk/freedomfood/aboutus/-/article/FF_AboutUs" target="_blank" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(230, 0, 0); "><b style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">RSPCA Freedom Food scheme</span></b></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">, designed to offer particularly high standards of welfare for farm animals.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 8px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-size:0.875em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">But footage obtained by Sky News and</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span><a title="Visit the organisation's website..." href="http://www.viva.org.uk/" target="_blank" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(230, 0, 0); "><b style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Viva</span></b></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> from two farms in Fife, Scotland, suggests the guidelines are being breached.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 8px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-size:0.875em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">An employee for</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span><a title="Visit the company's website..." href="http://www.noblefoods.co.uk/" target="_blank" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(230, 0, 0); "><b style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Noble Foods</span></b></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">was covertly filmed revealing electric wires are used to control the hens, who are also encouraged to remain indoors until 80% of them are laying.</span></span></p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgigF550gO-gYtDGhXXpFfT_ieoEW0JQemszW1ij5kNClQb4MUn0fEREpPucbvfgdNiYiGMJRdXF5TxLnPahfhWIMc9UUS81KAE69WaIlkuIt7HrhmwlL8-WvbgKkAENaFionADBXjMkQ4/s1600/happy-eggs.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgigF550gO-gYtDGhXXpFfT_ieoEW0JQemszW1ij5kNClQb4MUn0fEREpPucbvfgdNiYiGMJRdXF5TxLnPahfhWIMc9UUS81KAE69WaIlkuIt7HrhmwlL8-WvbgKkAENaFionADBXjMkQ4/s320/happy-eggs.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527176271178170514" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The Happy Egg website projects the image of a playground for its hens</span></span></div></span><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 8px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-size:0.875em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 8px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-size:0.875em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 8px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-size:0.875em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Another worker admitted at least one barn was infested with red mite, a parasite that causes skin irritations.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 8px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-size:0.875em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">On a second visit to the farm, investigators filmed dozens of birds which had lost feathers due to disease and being pecked by other hens.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 8px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-size:0.875em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">For their </span></span><a title="More on the Happy Egg brand..." href="http://www.thehappyegg.co.uk/" target="_blank" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(230, 0, 0); "><b style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Happy Egg brand</span></b></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Noble Foods portrays an image of welfare standards beyond the requirements of the Freedom Food scheme.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 8px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-size:0.875em;"></p><blockquote style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 60px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 0px; display: block; font-weight: bold; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 8px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-size:0.875em;"></p></blockquote><blockquote><blockquote style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 60px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 0px; display: block; font-weight: bold; font-size:1.125em;"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 8px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The investigation into The Happy Egg Company shows a very different picture - one of disease, incarceration, short lives and electric shocks.</span></span></p></blockquote><cite style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 60px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; font-size:0.625em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Justine Kerswell from Viva</span></span></cite></blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><cite style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 60px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); "></cite></span><p></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 8px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-size:0.875em;"></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 8px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-size:0.875em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The company's website states hens are given activities to enhance their natural surroundings such as "an adventure playground and sandpit".</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 8px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-size:0.875em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Yet on two separate visits to the farm Sky News discovered muddy surroundings and a water-logged sandpit.</span></span></p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqb0CGxlZJA1-SNA5oblAgrXsr5uBpvSbzovY68mDsLAGbG5vSLNyTA3W1syO5dcOIM0vWaUcqKMDS5eeJURRF0F4slBkfIOxs53Ts6hROYMa_dYYQHqqAZi1p0ZMH0vnbEoVVAj-AySQ/s1600/dead-chicken.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqb0CGxlZJA1-SNA5oblAgrXsr5uBpvSbzovY68mDsLAGbG5vSLNyTA3W1syO5dcOIM0vWaUcqKMDS5eeJURRF0F4slBkfIOxs53Ts6hROYMa_dYYQHqqAZi1p0ZMH0vnbEoVVAj-AySQ/s320/dead-chicken.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527177307558803746" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">The reality of the hell inside Noble Foods</span></div><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 8px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-size:0.875em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 8px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-size:0.875em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">A Noble Foods worker was recorded admitting the farm had problems with soil drainage and conditions for the hens were different to those officially portrayed.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 8px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-size:0.875em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Justine Kerswell from Viva, told Sky News: "Contented hens pecking at the ground and enjoying a dust bathe in the sun - that's most people's view of free range egg production.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 8px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-size:0.875em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 8px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-size:0.875em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">"Viva And Sky News' investigation into The Happy Egg Company shows a very different picture - one of disease, incarceration, short lives and electric shocks."</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 8px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-size:0.875em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">In a statement, Noble Foods said: "We take the treatment of our hens extremely seriously.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 8px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-size:0.875em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">"As soon as we were made aware of the video footage the company instigated an internal enquiry.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 8px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-size:0.875em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">"Last night, at our request, both farms involved were audited by RSPCA Freedom Food inspectors and both were given very positive reports.</span></span></p><p size="0.875em" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 8px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">"We will continue to work with RSPCA Freedom Foods to ensure the highest possible welfare standards across our farms."</span></span></p><p size="0.875em" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 8px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The RSPCA told Sky News they take any potential breach of welfare standards very seriously and would be suspending the farms in question from the Freedom Food scheme pending their own investigation.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 8px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Noble Foods supplies Happy Eggs to supermarkets including</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span><a title="Visit Asda's website..." href="http://www.asda.com/" target="_blank" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(230, 0, 0); "><b style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Asda</span></b></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">, </span><a title="Visit the supermarket's website..." href="http://www.morrisons.co.uk/" target="_blank" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(230, 0, 0); "><b style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Morrisons</span></b></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">, </span><a title="Visit the supermarket's website..." href="http://www.sainsburys.co.uk/sol/index.jsp" target="_blank" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(230, 0, 0); "><b style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Sainsbury's</span></b></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">and</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span><a title="Visit Ocado's website..." href="http://www.ocado.com/webshop/startWebshop.do" target="_blank" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(230, 0, 0); "><b style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Ocado</span></b></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">.</span></p><p size="0.875em" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 8px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Sainsbury's welcomed the RSPCA investigation while Ocado have announced they will de-list Happy Eggs from their range as a precautionary measure.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 8px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 0.875em; "><a href="http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/Sky-News-Egg-Investigation-Hen-Evidence-Suggests-Noble-Foods-Is-Breaching-Animal-Welfare-Guidelines/Article/201010115753484?lpos=UK_News_News_Your_Way_Region_9&lid=NewsYourWay_ARTICLE_15753484_Sky_News_Egg_Investigation_Hen_Evidence_Suggests_Noble_Foods_Is_Breaching_Animal_Welfare_Guidelines">SKY NEWS</a></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p></div></span></div>Justice4animalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10173758244083522428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8070204207960874892.post-7697861939091670262010-10-12T07:36:00.000-07:002010-10-12T07:49:25.803-07:00Euthanasia statement- RSPCA SUSPEND ILLEGAL AND BARBARIC METHODS OF SLAUGHTERING ANIMALS<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcvWDUD-4k0_m0VUxrFmcLV0rkxX2lVd3NXxRoD2XyhO6Pg4DeWUjkLFkhULq2-Q3HjG_eiJei42VkG3x5WFzdlaqjA2IgBqiKPE8lB8Z62OKOobXGr_gqCc__xzmtLoGYnqHWHHMw10U/s1600/cannabis.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 230px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcvWDUD-4k0_m0VUxrFmcLV0rkxX2lVd3NXxRoD2XyhO6Pg4DeWUjkLFkhULq2-Q3HjG_eiJei42VkG3x5WFzdlaqjA2IgBqiKPE8lB8Z62OKOobXGr_gqCc__xzmtLoGYnqHWHHMw10U/s320/cannabis.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527169055737875122" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 20px; "><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">It looks like all the negative publicity about the barbaric and illegal methods utilised by RSPCA slaughterman to kill animals, has forced them to review their policies.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span></span></div></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66FFFF;">As you may be aware, </span></span><b style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66FFFF;">the RSPCA is currently reviewing its euthanasia policy</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66FFFF;">.<br /><br />The RSPCA's first concern is to </span></span><b style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66FFFF;">prevent animal suffering</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66FFFF;"> and we are often called to alleviate this by putting an animal to sleep, for instance if a cat has been seriously injured in a road traffic accident.<br /><br />As part of this review we are </span></span><b style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66FFFF;">making changes</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66FFFF;"> to the way we deal with the handling of veterinary drugs used to alleviate suffering by putting an animal to sleep.<br /><br />As a result we have decided that our non-veterinary staff will no longer use these types of drugs.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66FFFF;"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; line-height: 20px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal 'Trebuchet MS'; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">WHO ILLEGALLY SUPPLIED THESE CONTROLLED DRUGS TO NON QUALIFIED RSPCA STAFF?</span></b></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; line-height: 20px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal 'Trebuchet MS'; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><br /></span></b></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; line-height: 20px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal 'Trebuchet MS'; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"></span></b></p><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; line-height: 20px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal 'Trebuchet MS'; "><b>WHY HAS THERE BEEN NO POLICE INVESTIGATION?</b></p></span></b><p></p><br />However, RSPCA vets at animal centres and hospitals will continue to have access to pentobarbitone sodium (PBS) for euthanasia purposes.<br /><br />We have been in close correspondence with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons on this and have been looking to </span></span><b style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66FFFF;">update our euthanasia procedures in line with current legislation</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66FFFF;">.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66FFFF;"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; line-height: 20px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal 'Trebuchet MS'; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">CONTROLLED DRUGS ARE GIVEN BY UNQUALIFIED PEOPLE YET THE RCVS IGNORE THIS !</span></b></p><br />In those cases where seriously injured animals need to be euthanased, usually wildlife or traffic accident victims, our inspectors and animal welfare officers will </span></span><b style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66FFFF;">look at all other options available</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66FFFF;"> to them, including calling independent vets to the scene.<br /><br />Other forms of euthanasia will continue to be considered and used. However, we can confirm that the use of captive bolt guns on dogs is still suspended.<br /><br />We have considered the welfare implications and are working with both the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) and the British Veterinary Association (BVA) on these changes.<br /><br /></span></span><b style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66FFFF;">We want to reassure the public that the RSPCA will continue to do what is in the best interest for the animals in helping to alleviate suffering.</span></span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 20px; "><b style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66FFFF;"><br /></span></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 20px; font-size: small;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">THE RSPCA IS ALL ABOUT MAKING MONEY NOT WHAT"S IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE ANIMALS!!! </span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 20px; font-size: small;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><br /></span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:#FF0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 20px; font-size: small;"><b><a href="http://www.rspca.org.uk/media/news/story/-/article/EM_EuthanasiaStatement_Sep10">ARSEPCA</a></b></span></span></div>Justice4animalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10173758244083522428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8070204207960874892.post-29912265184596256082010-10-04T01:26:00.000-07:002010-10-04T01:31:33.013-07:00RSPCA TAKE 3 MONTHS TO RETURN OWNERS HORSES AFTER LOOSING THEIR CASE AGAINST HIM<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPxF2dwXEaFZtX-xvy1vf5PC19eIG77TDtJuQhuFITB9tE8qcvmyHK6OFuD8CMT8Cngv7ahwXqBfTcWBqbrwVDqy0dujRHBXLfq__nqJHSVkYagL9d3FHZx-1no3YEA5MzN2kK3m3T3RE/s1600/anglesey-horses.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 145px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPxF2dwXEaFZtX-xvy1vf5PC19eIG77TDtJuQhuFITB9tE8qcvmyHK6OFuD8CMT8Cngv7ahwXqBfTcWBqbrwVDqy0dujRHBXLfq__nqJHSVkYagL9d3FHZx-1no3YEA5MzN2kK3m3T3RE/s320/anglesey-horses.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524104803263958994" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; "><h1 style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-weight: bold; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.1; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Anglesey horse breeder reunited with his animals</span></span></h1><div><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 5px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 255, 255); font-size: small; ">A HORSE breeder on Anglesey was finally reunited with his animals after a three year ordeal fighting to clear his name after an RSPCA neglect prosecution.</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 5px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">Michael O’Neill, of Rainbow Farm, Pentraeth, saw trained harness racing horse Mickey-Bob, and Barney taken by officers from the animal charity in 2007 after being found in a poorly condition.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 5px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">This started years of hell for the respected breeder as he was dragged through the courts, with proceedings delayed further after he had a stroke in Holyhead Magistrates Court in 2009.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 5px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">In July this year he was finally cleared of all neglect charges and the RSPCA were told to promptly return his horses.</span></span></p><div class="article" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; "></div><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 5px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">It has taken nearly three months to comply with the order but yesterday the horses arrived back on Anglesey.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 5px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">Mr O’Neill, in his 50s, said the three year fight has cost him thousands of pounds and lost the potential of racing Mickey-Bob, who was bred from a top class racing father.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 5px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">He said: “All that potential has now been lost and I feel very bitter and disappointed. If the horses had been returned promptly I could have covered a couple of my own mares with Mickey-Bob but it is too late in the year now.”</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 5px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">Mr O’Neill won the case at Caernarfon Magistrates Court after the court accepted that abscesses on their throats were caused by a bacterial infection called strangles, and not neglect.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 5px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">They had been bought in August 2007 for around £10,000.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 5px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">Zoe McKenna, of Rhoscefnhir, who was accused alongside him, also had charges against her dropped at an earlier date.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 5px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">He said: “For three years my life has been on hold, no one wanted to know me and my business as a horse dealer came to a halt.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 5px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">“Mickey-Bob was over the worst of the strangles when he was seized and the recovery is quite rapid, he would have been race fit for the 2008 season but now we will never know. I feel cheated and that Mickey-Bob has been robbed of a career that he was bred and trained for.”</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 5px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">Mr O’Neill, who is originally from Ireland, is the fifth generation of horse breeder in his family.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 5px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><a href="http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/2010/10/04/anglesey-horse-breeder-reunited-with-his-animals-55578-27394204/">DAILY POST</a></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 5px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">How heart-warming that it took only three months for the RSPCA to return the animals that they were ordered to give back forthwith. Do you see them being committed for contempt? Perhaps the RSPCA just decided to prolong his agony (and massive financial loss) for another quarter of a year.</span></span></span></p></div></span>Justice4animalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10173758244083522428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8070204207960874892.post-68047521191590952872010-09-16T03:13:00.001-07:002010-09-16T03:19:04.695-07:00THEY SHOOT HORSES DON"T THEY?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPmF25-fikYKihuzyCVLKR1ud7iPnJVfWxPzCcpqrVO1tc59V48U5_FjTzPeXDpr8KaFbGdB6j6uPumGgPWH1gX1sWKPKVGw5dqEwuUAEy-Yvtn7opJyaw7qMW1wYFxWzRXKzJxl7CYk4/s1600/police-marksmen.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 283px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPmF25-fikYKihuzyCVLKR1ud7iPnJVfWxPzCcpqrVO1tc59V48U5_FjTzPeXDpr8KaFbGdB6j6uPumGgPWH1gX1sWKPKVGw5dqEwuUAEy-Yvtn7opJyaw7qMW1wYFxWzRXKzJxl7CYk4/s320/police-marksmen.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517452586807588098" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 12px; line-height: 12px; "><h3 style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: 1.3em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Police to investigate handling of incident involving shooting of horses near Dunnington</span></span></h3><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; line-height: 1.6em; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">POLICE are to review their handling of an incident near York which ended with them shooting dead two horses, leaving locals outraged.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; line-height: 1.6em; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">During the incident at </span></span><a href="http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/search/?search=Dunnington" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Dunnington</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">, near York, on Sunday, police and members of the public spent hours trying to control four horses which had got loose near the </span></span><a href="http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/search/?search=A1079+road" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">A1079</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; line-height: 1.6em; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">After several hours of attempts to corral the horses safely, police marksmen killed two of the horses, and the remaining two were contained in a nearby field.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; line-height: 1.6em; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Superintendent Andy McMillan, of North Yorkshire Police, said the killing was a last resort, but the incident would be investigated following concerns raised by locals and witnesses to the operation.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; line-height: 1.6em; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">He said: “The decision to shoot the wild horses was taken to protect the public from a potentially dangerous situation of the animals running on to a busy road and causing a serious or even fatal collision.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; line-height: 1.6em; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“The decision was made following assistance from a specialist equine vet and having contacted the RSPCA. Every effort was made to bring the situation under control without having to destroy any of the horses, but ultimately public safety has to be our number one priority.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; line-height: 1.6em; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“Nevertheless, we are very mindful of the concerns that have been raised about the way the incident was handled by North Yorkshire Police. To address this issue I am undertaking a detailed review of the circumstances surrounding the incident.”</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; line-height: 1.6em; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Lorna Marchi, owner of York Riding School, said she was “appalled” by the handling of the operation.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; line-height: 1.6em; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">She said: “If someone had called us we could have had them all safe. I can’t believe that a group of people who are used to dealing with horses couldn’t have been brought in to help and avoid the animals being shot. Why didn’t they just call up one of the riding schools in York and ask for help?”</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; line-height: 1.6em; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“As I understand it, the horses were in a field. If they were not on a highway, why couldn’t they just use an electric fence around where they were and leave them there.”</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; line-height: 1.6em; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Yesterday, vet James Christie told The Press “several attempts had been made to manually round up and capture the horses, but had been unsuccessful”. Mr Christie said tranquiliser darts were considered but not used, and the shooting of the horses was a decision made by police after efforts to control them were unsuccessful.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; line-height: 1.6em; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Thank goodness that the police are investigating the way that this dreadful operation was handled - clearly RSPCA's press dept - Henry Macaulay's network, will not allow this to be published in the national press, but it's good to see the local papers doing their job for once. Doubtless, the RSPCA will be exonerated too.</span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; line-height: 1.6em; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><a href="http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/8394480.Police_to_investigate_handling_of_incident_involving_shooting_of_horses/?ref=rss">York Press</a></span></p></span></span></div></span>Justice4animalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10173758244083522428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8070204207960874892.post-74543193726447655202010-09-10T05:12:00.000-07:002010-09-10T05:15:16.770-07:00WIDOW PLANNING FORMAL COMPLAINT AGAINST 'NAZI' RSPCA<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-aXIui3N1qzIbB7ZGTxlPjb842_HOy_ZpkxQSIIFeh-KCWaNIO_IX8swbmTm5KS0R1iL_GJKl28LYb5KDPU-uBTML-YwcmDDTBkl8p0_pFQIaf5VbtEWtzlBmM-qNma0bhGC-5i0DbAc/s1600/nazi.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 282px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-aXIui3N1qzIbB7ZGTxlPjb842_HOy_ZpkxQSIIFeh-KCWaNIO_IX8swbmTm5KS0R1iL_GJKl28LYb5KDPU-uBTML-YwcmDDTBkl8p0_pFQIaf5VbtEWtzlBmM-qNma0bhGC-5i0DbAc/s320/nazi.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515256840779898274" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; "><div id="ds-firstpara" class="ds-firstpara" style="text-align: center;padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">No doubt it will be made to appear that Ann Baker, 79, was actually lucky not to be prosecuted for cruelty - despite the fact that Nightshift was actually under the care of her own vet, and he did not see the problems allegedly observed by the RSPCA</span></b></span></span></div><div id="ds-firstpara" class="ds-firstpara" style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">A SELBY widow is planning to make a formal complaint to the RSPCA after her cat was seized by the animal charity and put down just hours after he went missing from her home.<br /></span></span></div><div id="va-bodytext" class="va-bodytext" style="float: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">Ann Baker, 79, said Nightshift – a neutered male tabby, who she had kept since 1992 – was her last living link with her retired university professor husband Clyde Manwell, who died in December 2007.<br /><br />Ann, who lives close to Selby Abbey, said: "I'm very upset – furious. They just put Nightshift down as if he was so much rubbish. They tried to justify it by saying he was old.<br /><br />"I told them well I'm old too! Then they said he had most of his teeth missing. Well, I have no teeth at all! It was just like something out of Nazi Germany."<br /><br />Ann said Nightshift had been taken ill and was treated at a highly-regarded vets in Howden on August 30 for respiratory difficulties.</span></span></div><div id="va-bodytext" class="va-bodytext" style="float: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><br /></span></span></div><div id="va-bodytext" class="va-bodytext" style="float: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><a href="http://www.selbytimes.co.uk/selby-news/Widow-planning-formal-complaint-against.6520144.jp">Selby Times</a></span></span></div></span>Justice4animalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10173758244083522428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8070204207960874892.post-55495040960072172392010-09-04T11:47:00.000-07:002010-09-04T11:50:38.170-07:00RSPCA KILL PENSIONERS BELOVED CAT<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRugvJadb5SCW1r24UL0_5p7iqqQXdlVHhhaQLqNA06LbNfvDopBfYm2ZJo0xIpy48OQqNKwNoNFlCCfoZJcnsmXNZBnC-HvE83c9mEzyCiVXVsZMpuzPiuYHe6w059Ek2UZE_JVqp-2I/s1600/cat1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 226px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRugvJadb5SCW1r24UL0_5p7iqqQXdlVHhhaQLqNA06LbNfvDopBfYm2ZJo0xIpy48OQqNKwNoNFlCCfoZJcnsmXNZBnC-HvE83c9mEzyCiVXVsZMpuzPiuYHe6w059Ek2UZE_JVqp-2I/s320/cat1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513132034532615122" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 12px; line-height: 12px; "><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; line-height: 1.6em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">What gives the RSPCA the right to steal someone's pet and kill it?</span></b></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; line-height: 1.6em; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">A </span></span><a href="http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/search/?search=Selby" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">Selby</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"> pensioner has told how the RSPCA seized her beloved pet cat from the street and put him down within the space of 24 hours.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; line-height: 1.6em; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">Ann Baker, 79, of Church Avenue, said she had owned the tabby cat, Nightshift, since 1992 and he was the last living link she had with her late husband, who had still been alive when they took the animal in as a stray.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; line-height: 1.6em; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">Mrs Baker said that over the weekend, Nightshift had come down with a respiratory problem. She took him to the vet on Bank Holiday Monday and paid more than £100 to have him treated.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; line-height: 1.6em; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">On Tuesday, he was whining to go out of the house so she let him into the garden. But when she came to let him in, he was nowhere to be seen.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; line-height: 1.6em; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">A neighbour later told her that an RSPCA van had been seen in the area and Mrs Baker then contacted the charity.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; line-height: 1.6em; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">She said: “A woman confirmed they had picked up a cat in Selby. She phoned back and said she had bad news – he had been put down. I can’t understand it as his fur was healthy, his eyes were clear.”</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; line-height: 1.6em; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">She said the female inspector who had taken Nightshift was asked to bring the cat’s body back to Mrs Baker, and he had now been buried in her garden.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; line-height: 1.6em; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">Mrs Baker said there appeared to have been no attempt to find out who owned the animal before he was taken away.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; line-height: 1.6em; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">She said: “She (the inspector) just grabbed him off the street, bundled him into a van and had him destroyed.”</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; line-height: 1.6em; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">A spokeswoman for the RSPCA said that if the cat had been microchipped it would have meant he could have been returned.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; line-height: 1.6em; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">She said: “We are sorry that the cat’s owner has been caused upset and distress. We have been in touch with her to convey our sympathies.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; line-height: 1.6em; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">“Our staff have animals’ best interests at heart. An RSPCA inspector took the cat to a vet who confirmed that it was extremely ill and suffering from several problems including kidney failure and breathing problems.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; line-height: 1.6em; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">“Generally, if an RSPCA inspector finds a healthy cat then it is kept for seven days while we make inquiries and endeavour to track down an owner, but this cannot always be the case if an animal is very ill or injured and needs immediate veterinary treatment.”</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; line-height: 1.6em; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><a href="http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/8372318.Lost_cat_is_put_down_by_RSPCA/?ref=rss"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">Yorkpress</span></span></a></p></span>Justice4animalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10173758244083522428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8070204207960874892.post-80310869455846065042010-08-20T06:06:00.001-07:002010-08-22T03:59:12.443-07:00MORPETH SQUIRREL KILLER IS ARRESTED<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAf9uhnx0N5FVfvtRwVgPRT70RQFxv00d7xw1V7dOegwmXC7bQ-Wg0QsaCnzqP0C8Ixcm4_1Bedue7eTTOsD3NETXw0p-ff4M2qLYG0O5Cdt61_n2aKJ45JfF2y6PX7ZDLdvgkvZDbCl8/s1600/criminal.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 216px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAf9uhnx0N5FVfvtRwVgPRT70RQFxv00d7xw1V7dOegwmXC7bQ-Wg0QsaCnzqP0C8Ixcm4_1Bedue7eTTOsD3NETXw0p-ff4M2qLYG0O5Cdt61_n2aKJ45JfF2y6PX7ZDLdvgkvZDbCl8/s320/criminal.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507477883732131522" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">You just couldn't make this up could you?</span></b></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">A WILDLIFE campaigner who challenged the RSPCA to prosecute him for drowning a grey squirrel has been arrested.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">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.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">He was taken into custody for questioning on suspicion of causing unnecessary suffe</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 255, 255); ">ring to an animal.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">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.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">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.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">He believes grey squirrels should be killed to protect the native red species.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">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.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">"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.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">"This action doesn't bother me. I think I'm right and I'm going to protect my red squirrels."</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">Mr Atthey was contacted by the RSPCA on Tuesday and refused to co-operate with their enquiries.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">An officer returned to his home on Wednesday morning and Mr Atthey handed over a written statement, but refused to speak to the official.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">Assistance was then requested from police to arrest him.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">A Northumbria Police spokesman said: "Police were called to assist an RSPCA officer at an address in Ulgham at around 10.45am.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">"Officers arrested a 66-year-old man at the address for causing unnecessary suffering to an animal."</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Why were no arrests made when an RSPCA inspector slaughtered 10 German Shepherds with a captive bolt gun last year? </span></b></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 5px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 5px; font-family:'Lucida Grande', 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">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.</span></span></span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><a href="http://www.morpethherald.co.uk/news/Morpeth-squirrel-killer-is-arrested.6484063.jp">MORPETH HERALD</a></span></span></div>Justice4animalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10173758244083522428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8070204207960874892.post-6953902311720676142010-08-12T10:39:00.000-07:002010-08-20T06:13:27.848-07:00SEND IN THE HEAVIES AND THE RSPCA LEGAL TEAM!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRsi_tJd5EnL9lpmp89r8fjKCMvwJ20hbLCWRcsMuW_1mWre_88M6VWASeIDIc6lDkAjQR36y34eBitvFc07yQPcHQQyi9PQXPgVz5UFAdLAFh-0uoyJ_FdQesE0ZAD0Yvr6H9GFURxHg/s1600/RiotSquad.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 282px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRsi_tJd5EnL9lpmp89r8fjKCMvwJ20hbLCWRcsMuW_1mWre_88M6VWASeIDIc6lDkAjQR36y34eBitvFc07yQPcHQQyi9PQXPgVz5UFAdLAFh-0uoyJ_FdQesE0ZAD0Yvr6H9GFURxHg/s320/RiotSquad.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504579739868145874" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><h1 style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; width: 465px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: normal; font-size:12px;"><h1 style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; width: 465px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Squirrel killer issues RSPCA prosecution challenge</span></span></h1></span></span></span></h1><div><br /></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">A MORPETH wildlife campaigner has drowned a grey squirrel in a challenge to the RSPCA to prosecute him.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Norris Atthey, Chairman of Morpeth Red Squirrels, killed the creature last week as part of his grey culling activities.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">His actions were meant as a direct challenge to the animal charity following its prosecution of Raymond Elliott at Burton Magistrates Court last month for causing unnecessary suffering to an animal after he drowned a grey squirrel in a water butt.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Elliott, who admitted the charge, was given a conditional discharge and ordered to pay £1,547 costs.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">However, the matter is believed to be going to appeal.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Mr Atthey, who thinks grey squirrels should be killed to ensure the survival of Northumberland's red species, said he was incensed by the prosecution and set out to show that drowning was a humane method of culling.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">He said the death of the squirrel in the greater Morpeth area last Wednesday was over in seconds, quicker than his usual method of shooting them, and minimal distress was caused to the animal.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">"I submerged this grey squirrel for a few seconds in the water and it was dead within 30 seconds," he said.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">"Of approximately 250 greys that I have killed, that has been the quickest method. Normally it can take one to three minutes.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">"The usual method is shooting them. Ninety per cent have been one-off shots, but it is still possible that you might miss or not kill it properly.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">"Another method is to transfer a grey into a hessian sack and hit it with a club. I think that is absolutely brutal so I don't use it."</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">However, Mr Atthey said he will wait to see if any legal action is taken against him before drowning another squirrel.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">"This drowning was a one-off. I'm trying to prove a point. This is to test the RSPCA, it is a challenge. I can demonstrate the trapping procedures if it goes to court," he said.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">"This was humane and this grey squirrel was not under stress. What I have done is better because it was quicker so it has to be more humane.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">"I believe that under the Wild Mammals (Protection) Act, drowning a grey squirrel is legal as long as it is done quickly as part of pest control. What I am doing is pest control."</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The RSPCA refused to comment on the incident due to the ongoing legal case in Burton.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">A factsheet on grey squirrels from the charity says killing them should only be considered as a last resort if there is a serious problem and alternative means of control are ineffective or impractical.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">It warns that killing is unlikely to be a long-term solution and that it is an offence if any unnecessary suffering is caused to captured animals.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Natural England advises that grey squirrels can be run into a sack and killed by a sharp blow to the head, or shot in a cage, but trapped squirrels should not be drowned as it is considered inhumane.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, it is illegal to release grey squirrels or allow them to escape into the wild.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">A Natural England spokesman said: "The Animal Welfare Act 2006 protects 'animals under the control of man' and so squirrels in traps or cages would be covered.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">"This Act prohibits causing unnecessary suffering to such animals.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">"It would be for the courts to decide whether the method of killing, be it drowning or any other method, caused any suffering and if so if this was unnecessary or not in any particular case brought before them."</span></span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><a href="http://www.morpethherald.co.uk/news/Squirrel-killer-issues-RSPCA-prosecution.6471387.jp">MORPETH HERALD</a></span></span></div></span>Justice4animalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10173758244083522428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8070204207960874892.post-23364570247923955482010-08-08T03:32:00.000-07:002010-08-08T03:36:37.557-07:00RSPCA PERSECUTE ANOTHER VICTIM<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsOqqppARAl1XGxHfBqQW2GyWPr_fvEUpvB_HRTAnK-ArgephyHHZ3BoGMxKGOqu9sSFYkwVaGEcCGBGtBBXvm8hzPD9Nn4AKQomCj-1a0urQvcmvXQRbGeoEDFefQtr2_xT-2ES0wWTE/s1600/Nazi-Cat.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsOqqppARAl1XGxHfBqQW2GyWPr_fvEUpvB_HRTAnK-ArgephyHHZ3BoGMxKGOqu9sSFYkwVaGEcCGBGtBBXvm8hzPD9Nn4AKQomCj-1a0urQvcmvXQRbGeoEDFefQtr2_xT-2ES0wWTE/s320/Nazi-Cat.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502985238861248194" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; "><h1 style="text-align: center; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.16em; letter-spacing: -0.03em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">RSPCA: End this cruelty to animal owners</span></span></h1><h2 style="text-align: center; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 16px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.18em; letter-spacing: -0.01em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">The animal charity is spending too much time prosecuting innocent animal owners, believes Christopher Booker</span></span></h2><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">Last week I reported on the tragic story of Alan Brough, the retired builder who became so depressed, after the RSPCA had – for no good reason – taken the herd of 90 semi-wild ponies he had looked after for 30 years on the Cumbrian moors, that he hanged himself.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">This week’s story, again passed on to me by SHG (the Self-Help Group set up to advise victims of RSPCA persecution), concerns Michael O’Neill, an Anglesey horse breeder. For three years he was dragged through the courts by the RSPCA, after one of its officials had in 2007 seen sores on two horses he had bought from Ireland for £10,000.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"> </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">The RSPCA instigated criminal charges against Mr O’Neill, claiming that the sores must have been caused by collars round his horses’ necks. Mr O’ Neill’s vet had already diagnosed their cause as a rare bacterial infection called strangles, for which he had been treating the animals. As the case dragged on, threatening the closure of his business, Mr O’Neill became so stressed that his health deteriorated. At one hearing last year, he had a stroke in the courtroom.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">Last week, when the trial finally concluded, the magistrates acquitted Mr O’Neill of all charges, saying he could leave the court with “an untarnished reputation”. Such stories should be brought to the attention of all those generous folk who still provide the RSPCA with an income of £115 million a year in donations, without realising what a change has come over that once admirable organisation – and how much of its activity, according to critics, is now devoted to prosecuting innocent animal owners in order to generate the publicity that keeps those donations rolling in.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/columnists/christopherbooker/7932214/RSPCA-End-this-cruelty-to-animal-owners.html">Christopher Booker- Daily Telegraph</a></span></span></div></span></div></span>Justice4animalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10173758244083522428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8070204207960874892.post-3206018186029081022010-07-28T02:08:00.000-07:002010-07-28T02:14:21.599-07:00MAN FOUND HANGED AFTER RAID BY RSPCA BULLYBOYS<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIdNUOq0puMY_y3JYG5EcAn705cctQF_Lz_KEzn5CFyeHJTarkKYgPQTEEL_u6tdCFWFNn5yZh59Q6ZXoo4wM9zhJ1lP-qq3QOpXZ5pfKsIP3meXkQV5es80b-daqWuZ2jqvLaaW1Vytk/s1600/police-raid.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 212px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIdNUOq0puMY_y3JYG5EcAn705cctQF_Lz_KEzn5CFyeHJTarkKYgPQTEEL_u6tdCFWFNn5yZh59Q6ZXoo4wM9zhJ1lP-qq3QOpXZ5pfKsIP3meXkQV5es80b-daqWuZ2jqvLaaW1Vytk/s320/police-raid.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498881677677455586" /></a><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 18px/normal Verdana; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">CUMBRIA ANIMAL LOVER ARRESTED OVER FELL PONIES 'CRUELTY' FOUND HANGED</span></span></b></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Verdana"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">A Cumbrian ‘animal lover’ who owned the wild ponies of Caldbeck Common is thought to have killed himself after they were taken away by the RSPCA and he was arrested on suspicion of animal cruelty.</span></span></b></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Verdana"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Alan ‘Tutty’ Brough, 68, from Newbiggin, near Penrith, was arrested at 8.30am on Wednesday shortly before a major RSPCA and police operation began to catch about 90 of his ponies that had lived wild on Uldale and Caldbeck commons for 30 years.</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Verdana"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">After being released from Carlisle’s Durranhill police station at 3pm, Mr Brough returned home but later drove to St Ninian’s Church at Brougham, where his family say he was found hanged.</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Verdana"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">One of his four daughters, Kathleen Michie, from Carlisle, said: “It was not my dad who walked out of the police cells – he was trance-like. He said they had taken his life. He was not a people person, he preferred animals. We ran down to the car to stop him leaving the house and I took the keys out of the car.</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Verdana"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“We spent 45 minutes talking to him and eventually he agreed to take his grand-daughter Natasha with him – he wanted to go and think.</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Verdana"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“He stopped at Rheged for fuel and drove off when Natasha went to pay. She chased him and jumped in front of the car. But he drove off when she tried to get in.”</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Verdana"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The 18-year-old alerted the rest of the family, who gave chase. Natasha eventually found her grandfather by the River Eamont.</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Verdana"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">His daughter Kathleen added: “We had begged him to carry on and fight for the ponies. He spent half his life fighting the parish council and Caldbeck Commoners to keep the ponies on the common.</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Verdana"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“He got up at 5am every day to go out and gather grass for his horses. He spent every day with them.”</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Verdana"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The ponies were rounded up and loaded onto lorries on Wednesday before being taken to new homes. Mr Brough, a builder, was not told of the operation before it started.</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Verdana"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">He first released the Shetland ponies onto the common when he lived at Mosedale when his daughters outgrew them. The ponies bred and multiplied, becoming a tourist attraction on the commons.</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Verdana"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">In an effort to control numbers, a castration programme was started by landowners, The Lake District National Park Authority, two years ago. Mr Brough co-operated with the programme but the RSPCA got involved after welfare concerns were raised.</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Verdana"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Following advice from a vet, four ponies were seized by Cumbria police last Friday. The RSPCA said one pony was put to sleep because of its poor condition.</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Verdana"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Redwings Horse Sanctuary, World Horse Welfare, the British Horse Society and Horse World were involved in Wednesday’s operation and they are housing the ponies in undisclosed locations. Mr Brough’s family have not been told where they are.</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Verdana"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">A statement from the RSPCA and other horse charities involved in Wednesday’s operation said: “We are saddened by what has happened and our thoughts are with Mr Brough’s family at this time.”</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Verdana"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Paragon Veterinary Group has castrated many of the ponies over the last two years.</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Verdana"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">David Black from the group said this week: “Of the ponies we saw, considering their management as wild ponies, the vets involved did not have concerns about their body condition.”</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Verdana"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Mr Brough was well-known in his home town of Penrith and once kept lions at his Mosedale home in the hope of starting a zoo.</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Verdana"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">His family said he would never have let any animal suffer and that he was treating the horse that was put down by police. His daughter Cindy said the family were angry with police.</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Verdana"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">She added :“He was taken away for the best part of the day. They put him in the cells and broke his heart. It was as if they wanted him out of the way so they could take the horses.”</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Verdana"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Mr Brough leaves his wife Kathleen, four daughters and nine grandchildren.</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Verdana"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Enquiries into Mr Brough’s death are ongoing, but officers are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Verdana"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Verdana"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk/news/cumbria-animal-lover-arrested-over-fell-ponies-cruelty-found-hanged-1.737226?referrerPath=news">Cumberland News</a></span></span></p>Justice4animalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10173758244083522428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8070204207960874892.post-31209056907902418002010-07-20T03:36:00.000-07:002010-07-20T03:46:04.708-07:00RSPCA PERSECUTING SQUIRREL KILLERS NOW!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd_t4D2qZ0pu0AN9NexMetjcy419_sJD65EXp_vYHND7x1nTgXclWg6-DbObhyc5NdC3nYnV5XJKgqTTnAjQAygRh6vNbsMgbNjNNTw-cKcpV0uo-yMxfLLChf4NrnfHVQrhQ6VpXjA38/s1600/army_squirrel.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 301px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd_t4D2qZ0pu0AN9NexMetjcy419_sJD65EXp_vYHND7x1nTgXclWg6-DbObhyc5NdC3nYnV5XJKgqTTnAjQAygRh6vNbsMgbNjNNTw-cKcpV0uo-yMxfLLChf4NrnfHVQrhQ6VpXjA38/s320/army_squirrel.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495936016807526578" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Remember that RSPCA figures for 2009 show that they killed 63,321 animals - an increase of over 3000 on 2008!</span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">When a bird lover managed to trap one of the grey squirrels raiding his nut feeders, he decided that drowning would be the most humane way to dispose of it.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">What happened next landed Raymond Elliott with a bill for £1,500 and, even worse, a criminal record.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">A neighbour tipped off the RSPCA that he had submerged the animal in a water butt.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">Mr Elliott, a 58-year-old window cleaner, insisted that the squirrel died 'almost instantaneously'.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">However a vet said the process would have taken three minutes, so Mr Elliott was taken to court accused of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">The landmark case sets an important precedent for killing grey squirrels, which are classified as a non-native invasive species, and could pave the way for hundreds of other prosecutions across the country.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">The RSPCA warned that many common methods of killing grey squirrels and other pests could now fall foul of the law, and said the only humane way to dispatch them would be to take them to a vet for a lethal injection - at a cost of up to £70. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">Mr Elliott, from Branston, Staffordshire, was prosecuted under the Animal Welfare Act 2006. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">After pleading guilty at Burton Magistrates' Court, he was given a conditional discharge and ordered to pay £1,547 to cover RSPCA costs.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">'This is an injustice,' he said yesterday. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">'People do it across the country all the time - they are just making an example of me. I do not feel what I did was inhumane or cruel.' </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZMoRF7n-L6Lbm0SLjDeiBc4DSJDEBK5p7r7q8dHVa0qs7SrCrpfpnrhrvTqcttTylecYPxvZ4Qr7Ce_G1D8tY879B1s9iNey7_pcWRykVMWfVvcplYeQBAtOHMpKzdDxNf4PI5V8-XvI/s1600/squirrel-article.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZMoRF7n-L6Lbm0SLjDeiBc4DSJDEBK5p7r7q8dHVa0qs7SrCrpfpnrhrvTqcttTylecYPxvZ4Qr7Ce_G1D8tY879B1s9iNey7_pcWRykVMWfVvcplYeQBAtOHMpKzdDxNf4PI5V8-XvI/s320/squirrel-article.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495936780992564898" /></a><div><br /></div></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">Doug Walton, defending, described Mr Elliott as a man of good character. He added: 'The drowning of squirrels and rats is a widespread practice, so what are the alternatives for these people? </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">'Realistically, I can't see many opting to take the creatures to the vets to pay to have them euthanised.'</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">John Sutcliffe, prosecuting, said the case was the first to be brought under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 in respect of a non-domestic animal. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">He said that Mr Elliott was 'extremely open and frank' about what he had done and 'believed it was the most humane way of disposing of the animal'.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">He also warned that official advice - that squirrels should be caught in a sack and killed with a single blow to the head - could be a breach of the act as the animal could suffer before it dies.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">An RSPCA spokesman said: 'Drowning grey squirrels causes unnecessary suffering, as this case demonstrates.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">'Realistically the only humane method would be to take the squirrel along to vet, as you would with a pet.'</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">Tim Bonner, a spokesman for the Countryside Alliance, said the RSPCA was using the courts to push its policy on animal rights.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">'Killing grey squirrels is a good thing - there are far too many of them and they threaten our native species and woodland,' he said.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">'It is absolutely ridiculous that the RSPCA has spent thousands dragging this man through the courts when he was clearly unaware of the law.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">'They are using the courts as a propaganda vehicle.'</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">Carri Nicholson, project manager for Save Our Squirrels, said: 'I feel very sorry for this man being prosecuted as most people don't know the law and it's not always clear what they should do.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">'I would advise people to check with their local wildlife trust and ask advice on the best way to kill a squirrel.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">'I would not recommend taking the animals to the vet to be put down as we have had advice that transporting animals to vets can cause unnecessary suffering and would therefore not be in keeping with the act.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">'It is also prohibitively expensive and can cost up to £70.'</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1295883/First-case-kind-Man-told-pay-1-500-guilty-drowning-squirrel.html#ixzz0uDYwNLs7">Daily Mail article</a></span></div>Justice4animalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10173758244083522428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8070204207960874892.post-67914813616551142762010-07-02T04:47:00.000-07:002010-07-02T04:51:37.337-07:00CHEATING RSPCA FUND RAISERS EXPOSED<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF5A8-kGK2XiJzOpW6879qa9gMPW_gQOBVDK1sYVfA0l99AWvrgWKatdAyTN-h_keit1uKSfgxF5px6XINB6-iRq8PNfWvTuxMEVIKjkjDhHoAw5CzAvJmeq3xpdcIFW2hv7RGuRiuHms/s1600/greg-kat.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF5A8-kGK2XiJzOpW6879qa9gMPW_gQOBVDK1sYVfA0l99AWvrgWKatdAyTN-h_keit1uKSfgxF5px6XINB6-iRq8PNfWvTuxMEVIKjkjDhHoAw5CzAvJmeq3xpdcIFW2hv7RGuRiuHms/s320/greg-kat.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489274461805287346" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-weight: bold; font-size:large;">Of course this has been spun in a way that eliminates the true thrust of the story - that RSPCA fundraisers were being paid commission by the charity to raise money by knocking doors, and tried to con the public and thereby dishonestly obtain commission.</span></div></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">THESE crooks were exposed after cheating charities out of thousands of pounds.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">Armed with application forms, Kathryn Ashcroft and Gregory Cameron were supposed to be knocking on doors to sign up householders wanting to donate towards charity.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">But instead the pair, who worked for Marketing North East and were paid commission for each application, resorted to making up names and addresses, pretending to sign up scores more donors.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">Ashcroft, 29, had submitted 21 incorrect forms while 24-year-old Cameron sent in 42 applications that were found to be made up.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">Charities that were set to gain from their work included the RSPCA.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">In total the thieves, who both pleaded guilty to fraud by false representation, received £3,233 and £4,399 respectively from their employer.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">Newcastle Magistrates heard yesterday that the pair were only caught out when the banks refused to set up the direct debits and sent out an attention report to their employer, Gary Lewis.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">Becky Gibson, prosecuting, said: “Mr Lewis was alerted that two of his staff had a number of forms that were submitted, but rejected due to false details.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">“When Mr Lewis received the report, he rang around all the numbers on each of Miss Ashcroft’s forms to ascertain if the householders had subscribed to the charity on the form.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">“He discovered that every number was invalid. He called them both into the office and told them he would be ringing the police.”</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">When Ashcroft and Cameron were interviewed by officers they each admitted the donors were not genuine.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">Lewis Pearson, defending Ashcroft, said: “Miss Ashcroft had a son to look after and had tried to leave before due to the intense hours. But because she was Mr Lewis’ best employee, he was extremely persuasive. She is extremely apologetic.”</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">Michael Gibson, defending Cameron, told the court in mitigation that his client hadn’t even had a police caution in the past.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">He said: “It was a high intensity job and employment depends on returning forms. He felt pressure to hand in a certain amount.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">“The RSPCA were never in danger and no individuals were ever going to have to pay out money. He knew they would bounce. Now he just wants to put it in the past and get on with his life.”</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">Mother-of-one Ashcroft, of Orlando Road, North Shields, was handed a four-month custodial sentence, suspended for a year. She was also ordered to do 200 hours’ unpaid work as well as pay £1,500 compensation and £40 court costs.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">And the case against IT technician Cameron, of Cartington Terrace, Heaton, Newcastle, was adjourned until next week for pre-sentence reports.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><br /></span></span></div><div><a href="http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-news/2010/07/01/cheating-north-east-pair-tried-to-con-charities-61634-26764473/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">Journal Live Article</span></span></a></div></span></span></div>Justice4animalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10173758244083522428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8070204207960874892.post-89999543043351353022010-07-02T04:30:00.000-07:002010-07-02T04:43:10.553-07:00Ten firefighters, two engines, police and RSPCA officers sent to rescue... two CROWS<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9hUG_-jrU7Qj9_j2qbdMW0h_Sj_c60LeJk7myvjNcOT0yp4KaYMd8ryPfEcBGpxSM2GXdYIfR7G5a_sGm4Xb92I5IJszXaR96W0exCxRcPjuyeL9lQqVq2rj7rTOODTQSESWfMpKLChw/s1600/rspca-crows.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 257px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9hUG_-jrU7Qj9_j2qbdMW0h_Sj_c60LeJk7myvjNcOT0yp4KaYMd8ryPfEcBGpxSM2GXdYIfR7G5a_sGm4Xb92I5IJszXaR96W0exCxRcPjuyeL9lQqVq2rj7rTOODTQSESWfMpKLChw/s320/rspca-crows.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489270128977053634" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Yet another publicity stunt by the RSPCA to try and convince people they care when they only want more of your money</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">What a pity the RSPCA didn't show the same compassion towards the 10 GSD's they shot through the head with a captive bolt gun last year after their owner died.</span></span> </span></div><br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:10px;"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; min-height: 1px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">Emergency services launched a massive rescue operation – after two crows were spotted trapped on a restaurant roof.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; min-height: 1px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">Ten firefighters, two engines, police and RSPCA officers showed up to free the birds that had been caught in anti-seagull netting.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; min-height: 1px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">The exercise, in which an aerial ladder was scaled to reach the roof of the KFC outlet in Exmouth, Devon, was criticised as a waste of taxpayers’ money at a time when public services face severe cutbacks. </span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; min-height: 1px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; min-height: 1px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Of course KFC would never condone the ill treatment of any birds now would it? The same KFC that introduced halal but had to back down because of public disgust.</span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><br /></span></span><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; min-height: 1px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">Firefighters justified the costly operation by saying it was a ‘humanitarian’ mission to spare members of public having to watch the birds suffer.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; min-height: 1px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">But witness Barry Drinkall, 40, said: ‘It was totally ridiculous that so many firefighters turned out.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; min-height: 1px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">‘They are funded by the taxpayer and, for a relatively small incident, I thought it was excessive the amount of people who turned up.’</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; min-height: 1px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">He added: ‘I’m not anti-birds and animals, but it is not like a person was hurt.’ </span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; min-height: 1px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">Another angry local resident said: ‘Council tax rates for many areas have increased not so long ago.</span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><br /></span></span><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; min-height: 1px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">‘It begs the question why when you see this type of thing happening.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; min-height: 1px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">‘An operation like this could have cost thousands and we're paying for every penny.’ </span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; min-height: 1px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">A Devon Fire Authority spokesman said: ‘There was concern that the chicks would die painfully in view of members of the public so one fire appliance from Exmouth attended - </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">as opposed to die a painful death in the back of an RSPCA inspectors van out of sight of the public. But wait, there's a publicity opportunity here!!!</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; min-height: 1px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; min-height: 1px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">‘They determined that the only safe way to reach the birds was to use a hydraulic ladder platform, which was requested to attend from Exeter, and the chicks were retrieved successfully.</span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><br /></span></span><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; min-height: 1px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">‘Both the fire engine and the aerial appliance would have responded immediately to a more serious incident had it occurred while they were dealing with the birds. </span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; min-height: 1px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">‘Part of our role is to offer humanitarian assistance at the request of other agencies’</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; min-height: 1px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; min-height: 1px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size:10px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">The 2009 accounts for the RSPCA show that they killed 63,231 animals last year, an increase of over 3000 on 2008. Why would they give a damn about 2 crows?<br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:10px;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1291078/Ten-firefighters-engines-police-RSPCA-officers-sent-rescue--CROWS.html">Daily Mail Article</a></span></span><span></span></span></span></div>Justice4animalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10173758244083522428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8070204207960874892.post-5310416714628185622010-04-20T13:58:00.000-07:002010-04-20T14:02:24.570-07:00RSPCA to turn away unwanted animals - NO REALLY!!!!<object id="flashObj" width="370" height="260" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=9,0,47,0"><param name="movie" value="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9/69900095001?isVid=1"><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF"><param name="flashVars" value="videoId=79128757001&playerID=69900095001&domain=embed&dynamicStreaming=true"><param name="base" value="http://admin.brightcove.com"><param name="seamlesstabbing" value="false"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="swLiveConnect" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9/69900095001?isVid=1" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" flashvars="videoId=79128757001&playerID=69900095001&domain=embed&dynamicStreaming=true" base="http://admin.brightcove.com" name="flashObj" width="370" height="260" seamlesstabbing="false" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" swliveconnect="true" allowscriptaccess="always" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash"></embed></object><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, Geneva, sans-serif; line-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The RSPCA is to begin turning away people who bring in stray or unwanted animals, according to a leaked package of documents obtained by Channel 4 News.</span></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, Geneva, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 14px;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, Geneva, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 14px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 19px; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.8em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-style: inherit; font-size: 0.75em; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.5em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><b>Err - haven't they been doing this for years? Isn't it cheaper to turn an animal away or kill it!!</b></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.8em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 0.75em; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.5em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">Many of the 75,000 unwanted animals which are taken to </span><a href="http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/science_technology/should+the+rspca+be+leashed/3332687" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.22em; text-decoration: none; "><span style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.22em; text-decoration: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">RSPCA</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"> centres each year across England and Wales could be affected.</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.8em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 0.75em; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.5em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">This comes after the RSPCA itself complained that the number of abandoned animals is soaring as a result of recession.</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.8em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 0.75em; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.5em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">The leaked internal documents disclose that from 4 May, 17 animal centres run by the RSPCA's national body should begin turning away people who come to them with unwanted animals. The hope is that the 40 centres run by the charity's branches across England and Wales will follow suit.</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.8em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 0.75em; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.5em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">Animals that have been "RSPCA generated" - those which have been seized in cruelty or animal protection cases or at immediate risk - will be the only animals taken in after that date.</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.8em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 0.75em; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.5em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">Pets that belong to people taken into hospital, evicted from their homes, or unwanted or stray animals, will now be turned away. Unless the animal is at immediate risk, the unfortunate visitor holding the animal will be told to contact the police, the council or a vet.</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.8em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 0.75em; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.5em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">RSPCA staff are being issued with a one-line script to tell the public that the most pressing need of RSPCA animal centres is to care for abused and damaged pets rescued by its officers from neglect or cruelty. They must also make sure they have room for the animals, while "offering advice" to owners of unwanted pets who come to them for help.</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.8em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 0.75em; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.5em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">The documents say the move will allow the RSPCA to become more </span><a href="http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/uk/animal+charities+in+funding+clash/2920322" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.22em; text-decoration: none; "><span style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.22em; text-decoration: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">efficient</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">, by reducing the need for the organisation to pay to house animals in private boarding facilities. </span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.8em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 0.75em; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.5em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">The RSPCA had an income of £119 million in 2008 and is Britain's eighth largest charity. This latest move is part of its £54 million savings scheme over three years, after donations fell during the recession.</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.8em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 0.75em; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.5em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">The RSPCA investigated 140,575 cases in 2008. That is up from 110,841 three years earlier. It spent £11.1 million on prosecutions in 2008, compared with £7 million in 2007.</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.8em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 0.75em; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.5em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">The rise is in part the result of the </span><a href="http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/uk/new+laws+give+pets+better+protection/405297" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.22em; text-decoration: none; "><span style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.22em; text-decoration: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">Animal Welfare Act</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">, which came into effect in 2007 and which was strongly supported by the RSPCA, which introduced new offences of failures in animal welfare, rather than just cruelty.</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.8em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 0.75em; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.5em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">The move is controversial because it signals a move away from the charity’s role in animal welfare to concentrate instead on policing animal cruelty.</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.8em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 0.75em; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.5em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">Some vets warn that if the RSPCA turns away unwanted animals, it could result in more pets being abandoned.</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.8em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 0.75em; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.5em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">The British Veterinary Association President-elect, Harvey Locke said: “I think the concern is that more unwanted pets may be left to fend for themselves, that people will just leave them on the streets or turf them out of their cars on the motorway. I would like to think that that would not happen but that is a risk.</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.8em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 0.75em; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.5em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">“We need to look at the cause of this. Why are more and more dogs and cats, and exotic pets as well, being taken on by people and then disposed of because they're unwanted?”</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.8em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 0.75em; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.5em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">RSPCA Chief Superintendant Tim Wass rejected suggestions the policy would lead to more animals being illegally abandoned.</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.8em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 0.75em; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.5em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">He said: “We will not let that happen. If there is any evidence of that we will be the first to see it and if anything like that happens we will re-focus. We will in each and every case make sure that animals’ welfare is protected.</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.8em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 0.75em; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.5em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">“Like any organisation at the moment we have to answer some difficult economic challenges. RSPCA has always prioritised which animals it takes in. We are looking to formalise that…and to make sure that our finite resources go to the animals that need them most.</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.8em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 0.75em; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.5em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">“It is not simply turning people away. We will still be taking animals in from the public where we perceive that there is a risk to those animals’ welfare.”</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.8em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 0.75em; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.5em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">Mr Wass conceded that the move would put extra pressure on smaller animal charities but said charities could not be expected to deal with the issue of unwanted pets and there was a need for new measures to prevent the problem.</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.8em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 0.75em; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.5em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">He added: “Owners have to accept responsibility and that starts when they decide to take on the pet in the first place.”</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.8em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 0.75em; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.5em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">The potential burden of tens of thousands of unwanted animals, many of which will now be turned away by the RSPCA, will now fall on smaller charities devoted to particular animals such as Dogs Trust and Cats Protection, as well as smaller rescue centres such as the Mayhew Animal Home and Celia Hammond Trust in London.</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.8em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 0.75em; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.5em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">The RSPCA’s 169 local branches are independent of the national charity. Angela Walder, Chairwoman of the RSPCA branch in Isle of Sheppey, Kent, and a member of the charity’s governing Council, said some branches may ignore the new policy.</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.8em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 0.75em; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.5em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">She said: “I think what the national society is doing with this policy is trying to reduce the number of just animals people don't want any more, for various reasons, coming in to us in order to make sure we've got spaces for the other at-risk animals. </span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.8em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 0.75em; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.5em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">"But I think, when it comes to the branches, they will do what they've always done which is take in as many animals as they can.” </span></p></span></b></span></span></div>Justice4animalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10173758244083522428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8070204207960874892.post-55301473848033498612010-03-15T12:53:00.000-07:002010-03-15T13:01:36.396-07:00RSPCA KILL PET CAT<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwYEkk1ay1IawSUPwXnFd0qWqsZ_C68_FgathTzUUQ4ViRCwPQWsTUQinA6SkWdSHM4henzkrQL3-CgjHYC9oZCQPtX5dgalXQDhsDUg91pv5kNZCWv44P4pQjYPf9S6fxuLt5YehAc84/s1600-h/cat_and_gun.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwYEkk1ay1IawSUPwXnFd0qWqsZ_C68_FgathTzUUQ4ViRCwPQWsTUQinA6SkWdSHM4henzkrQL3-CgjHYC9oZCQPtX5dgalXQDhsDUg91pv5kNZCWv44P4pQjYPf9S6fxuLt5YehAc84/s320/cat_and_gun.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448951282752962066" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 12px; line-height: 12px; "><h3 style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: 1.3em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Brighton man furious after RSPCA put down his cat</span></span></h3><div><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; line-height: 1.6em; background-position: initial initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">An animal lover said his “blood is boiling” after his cat was put down by the RSPCA - without his knowledge.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; line-height: 1.6em; background-position: initial initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">John Edwards said his beloved Gizmo had been missing for two weeks when he learned he had been mistaken for a stray and picked up by the animal charity.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; line-height: 1.6em; background-position: initial initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">The white puss, described as a “fluffy furball”, was put down the same day.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; line-height: 1.6em; background-position: initial initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">Mr Edwards, of Gloucester Street, Brighton, said: “I am absolutely seething. He always used to go out walking and all the neighbours knew this.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; line-height: 1.6em; background-position: initial initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">“My other cat, who is a Siamese, is grieving as he knows his mate has gone.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; line-height: 1.6em; background-position: initial initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">“My blood is boiling and I don’t know when I’ll calm down.”</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; line-height: 1.6em; background-position: initial initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">Gizmo was taken two weeks ago by animal inspectors from the RSPCA but Mr Edwards only found out his cat had been picked up on Monday after leaflets were delivered by concerned residents.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; line-height: 1.6em; background-position: initial initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">A spokeswoman for RSPCA said they were called to the street by members of the public who said they thought the animal had been involved in a fight.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; line-height: 1.6em; background-position: initial initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">She added: “We are very sorry for the distress caused to Mr Edwards due to the sad death of his cat.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; line-height: 1.6em; background-position: initial initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">“Unfortunately the animal was in very bad health, with bad teeth and matted fur. He was covered in fight wounds when concerned residents asked us for help. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">Wonder if they ever considered vet treatment. Oops, no that costs money!!</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; line-height: 1.6em; background-position: initial initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">“Nor was he identified with a collar or a microchip and so we were unable to trace his owner. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">They obviously didn't try too hard since they killed the poor cat the day they took it in!</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; line-height: 1.6em; background-position: initial initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">“The RSPCA does everything it can to avoid having to put animals to sleep, but sometimes we have little choice.” </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">2008 figures show the RSPCA kill a staggering 22 dogs and 33 cats per day so guess they didn't try too hard to find homes. We await with baited breath, the figures for 2009.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; line-height: 1.6em; background-position: initial initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">She reminded pet owners to microchip their pets to avoiding similar situations. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">Maybe time to remind them that they are an animal welfare organisation, not a slaughterhouse.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; line-height: 1.6em; background-position: initial initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/5056556.Brighton_man_furious_after_RSPCA_put_down_his_cat/#">http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/5056556.Brighton_man_furious_after_RSPCA_put_down_his_cat/#</a></span></span></p></div></span>Justice4animalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10173758244083522428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8070204207960874892.post-62006874074338709012010-03-02T12:12:00.000-08:002010-03-02T13:36:36.839-08:00KILLING BLACKIE THE COLLIE COSTS THE RSPCA DEARLY<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwdCNOX0EqjqrtIdyvBg9c46h6WvQsNY0rR4c3nL1f8AaYmHf4BVCmhoDvXrfcWIgPB2HjseTEbYLw3TqEU-I5r1e1VDzyVduBUyCjnhEDpXnm5xkQIU2D9FdTjxwnqCinO_aKZFeRVjY/s1600-h/NewfieRevolver.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 283px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwdCNOX0EqjqrtIdyvBg9c46h6WvQsNY0rR4c3nL1f8AaYmHf4BVCmhoDvXrfcWIgPB2HjseTEbYLw3TqEU-I5r1e1VDzyVduBUyCjnhEDpXnm5xkQIU2D9FdTjxwnqCinO_aKZFeRVjY/s320/NewfieRevolver.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444132104554243986" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Y</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">ou just couldn't make this up!!</span></b></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">RSPCA </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">HUGE</span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> loss after Caernarfon pet is put down</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The RSPCA has lost out on part of a£400,000 legacy after a pet dog was put down.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Blackie's owner Claude Atack, 80, from Caernarfon, Gwynedd, had specified that any charity which found his pet a home would get a large part of his estate.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Solicitor Dewi Pritchard Jones thought the dog was in good health and was shocked he had been put down.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">But the RSPCA said Blackie was found to suffer from numerous health problems, and was put down on humane grounds. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Blackie's vet said he was a bit overweight and had the start of cataracts but was otherwise perfectly healthy!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Mr Atack was found collapsed at his home by concerned neighbours when they realised they had not seen him walking sheepdog Blackie on 29 January.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">'Safe'</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">"He walked Blackie four times a day, and he lived for the dog," said Mr Pritchard Jones.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Mr Atack died in hospital on 1 February.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">A neighbour initially looked after Blackie, then he was handed over to the RSPCA.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">"I wasn't concerned because their leaflets state that they do not put animals down without good reason. I thought he was safe," said the solicitor.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">He added that Mr Atack had stated in his will that his estate should be shared between different charities, but with no less than one fifth going to an animal charity.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">But verbally he had told his solicitor that more of his estate should be given to any charity which found Blackie a new home.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">He had stipulated that he could be "especially generous" to any charity which found his dog a home.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Mr Pritchard Jones said that a couple, who do not wish to be named but who knew Mr Atack, came forward to offer Blackie a home on 8 February.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">They traced him to an RSPCA kennel at Shrewsbury, but were told he had already been put down on the day he was handed in.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">However the RSPCA said Blackie went to them on 2 February, and was only put to sleep on 8 February, after he was assessed for six days. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">But that's not what the centre said!!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">"They said it was because he was in poor health, but I know his health was good," said Mr Pritchard Jones.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">"The old gentleman thought the world of him and at any sign of illness he would be whipped off to the vet," he said.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Other charities</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">"The vet said he (Blackie) had cataracts and was overweight, as a dog which is pampered tends to be," he added.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The incident would have broken Mr Atack's heart, he said.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">"He lived by himself, it was just him and the dog," he added.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The solicitor added that the money - in excess of £400,000 - would be shared between other charities.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">"I am angry about what happened, because I have a dog which is 15 years old, and you can't put them down just because they are old," he said.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">"I think Blackie would have made someone elderly a lovely companion, as he was used to being around an older person, and they often don't want the hassle of getting a puppy," he added.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The RSPCA said all animals that go into RSPCA care go through an assessment period which includes a general health check by a vet.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">"Blackie had numerous health problems including a severe heart murmur and the vet recommended he was put to sleep on humane grounds," said a spokesperson.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">"The RSPCA has a strong reputation of re-homing elderly animals and the very difficult decision regarding Blackie was purely based on welfare grounds and would not have altered had the RSPCA known about his deceased owner's will." </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Liar Liar Liar. You would have banked the money and then killed him!!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/north_west/8545374.stm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">BBC News</span></span></a></div>Justice4animalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10173758244083522428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8070204207960874892.post-51407755738615988012010-02-16T07:52:00.000-08:002010-02-16T08:14:47.512-08:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJZCuoFl3aU9F79gSWEml8SffG7nN20yFiX8yjG-7cJOMVBvSTnDX6YlZHEZUm2Tm_H_3_sW-zv0XRKbsmnB9PbPu-exXCE10B63MAqg6RnoE7lCgbPRKjvXG4w9q_2wFzSvfbSSt95EY/s1600-h/no-money.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 254px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJZCuoFl3aU9F79gSWEml8SffG7nN20yFiX8yjG-7cJOMVBvSTnDX6YlZHEZUm2Tm_H_3_sW-zv0XRKbsmnB9PbPu-exXCE10B63MAqg6RnoE7lCgbPRKjvXG4w9q_2wFzSvfbSSt95EY/s320/no-money.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438869971710716882" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Will they describe this as a phase of negative?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">RSPCA Membership figures (sourced from Annual Reports via Charities Commission WS)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">2008 – 30,3042007 – 31,231</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">2006 – 31,271</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">2005 – 35,108</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">2004 – 36,319</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">2003 – 39,364 </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">= lost almost a quarter of its members in five years.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">Shall we take bets on 2009 and 2010?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Sharp fall in fundraising income predicted for 2009</span></span></div><div><br /></div><div>Charity Market Monitor predicts dramatic loss</div><div>Fundraising income for the UK's largest charities could fall by £185m in 2009 compared with the previous year, according to the latest Charity Market Monitor report, published last week.</div><div><br /></div><div>The report, written by Cathy Pharoah of Cass Business School, is based on annual accounts filed by the biggest 300 fundraising charities in 2007 and 2008.</div><div><br /></div><div>It shows that overall income rose by 0.9 per cent on the previous year, a figure similar to the 0.7 per cent growth in the wider economy over the same period. If this correlation continues, income is likely to decline significantly in the year ahead, the report says.</div><div><br /></div><div>"Fundraising income appears to be particularly close to the 'temperature' of the wider economy," it says. "If fundraising were to follow the 3.5 per cent contraction predicted for the national economy as a whole in 2009, that could mean a loss of £185m to the major fundraising charities, on current incomes."</div><div><br /></div><div>The report highlights several other trends in charity income, including the rapid growth of the top 10 largest fundraising charities.</div><div><br /></div><div>The top 10 saw their income grow by 2.3 per cent last year, compared with the 0.9 per cent overall average growth for the top 300 charities.</div><div><br /></div><div>The top 10 charities are the same as the previous year, with the RNLI moving above the NSPCC into third place, the Salvation Army moving ahead of the RSPCA into seventh and the British Heart Foundation moving ahead of Save the Children into ninth.</div><div><br /></div><div>The report also highlights marked differences in sub-sectors, with income increasing by 79 per cent for arts charities and falling by 17 per cent for faith-based charities.</div><div><br /></div><div>The overall value of donations fell by 1.6 per cent, but legacy income rose by 8 per cent. However, the report says legacies are likely to suffer when the effects of the recession set in.</div><div><br /></div><div>The report also predicts sharp falls in the value of grants from charitable trusts and foundations, including corporate trusts, because of the recession.</div><div><br /></div><div>Charitable expenditure by the top 300 charities was £7.5bn for the period - about 74 per cent of total income. This was an increase of only 0.2 per cent on the previous year.</div><div><br /></div><div>"Charitable expenditure barely grew, possibly revealing an extremely cautious attitude towards expenditure by trustees who are anxious and uncertain about the depth of the recession," the report says.</div><div><br /></div><div>TOP 20 CHARITIES BY FUNDRAISING INCOME £M (ROUNDED DOWN)</div><div>1 Cancer Research UK 353m</div><div>2 Oxfam 207m</div><div>3 RNLI 141m</div><div>4 NSPCC 124m</div><div>5 British Red Cross Society 123m</div><div>6 Macmillan Cancer Support 106m</div><div>7 Salvation Army Trust 106m</div><div>8 RSPCA 99m</div><div>9 British Heart Foundation 93m</div><div>10 Save the Children UK 87m</div><div>11 Tate 79m</div><div>12 National Trust 74m</div><div>13 PDSA 73m</div><div>14 Marie Curie Cancer Care 71m</div><div>15 Christian Aid 66m</div><div>16 Sightsavers International 65m</div><div>17 RSPB 62m</div><div>18 Guide Dogs for the Blind 60m</div><div>19 RNIB 55m</div><div>20 World Vision UK 54m</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.recessionsupport.org.uk/finance/2009_fundraising_fall">Recession Support</a></div></span></div>Justice4animalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10173758244083522428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8070204207960874892.post-50370843588475705542010-02-14T11:34:00.000-08:002010-02-14T12:13:46.505-08:00How the RSPCA bites the hand that feeds it!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxnVH92K6s8NI4e6MhkBONAkRIgjK_4COXqt-bTdXnaB2WsiCKPhhQJ16O7WNLKEe1WfQYZWwGrtxAOINjkZU1U7M1ul3D5kpr5MXSUXK1R8nCc6SOBWh4-jwcJCNdhoMOSq8tdbno4Ys/s1600-h/crock.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 178px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxnVH92K6s8NI4e6MhkBONAkRIgjK_4COXqt-bTdXnaB2WsiCKPhhQJ16O7WNLKEe1WfQYZWwGrtxAOINjkZU1U7M1ul3D5kpr5MXSUXK1R8nCc6SOBWh4-jwcJCNdhoMOSq8tdbno4Ys/s320/crock.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438184977614627026" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-weight: bold; line-height: 14px; font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/how-the-rspca-bites-the-hand-that-feeds-it-1898150.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF66;">THE INDEPENDENT's VERSION of the appalling behaviour off the RSPCA</span></a></span></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 14px;font-size:12px;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-weight: bold; line-height: 14px; font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">When George Mason bequeathed a large chunk of his fortune to the animal charity, little did his brother think that they'd come back for a second helping. Chris Green reports</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 14px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 14px;font-size:12px;"><b><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Visitors to the website of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals are told that more than half of the charity's annual income – which totalled almost £120m in 2008 – comes from legacies in wills. "We're incredibly grateful to these thoughtful animal lovers and, as with any donation, their gifts will be put to good use," the site says.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">But John Mason, whose brother George bequeathed more than £480,000 to the charity when he died, would probably disagree. The 85-year-old, from Enfield in north London, recently joined a growing list of people who have been dragged through the courts by the RSPCA after disagreements with the charity.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">He said it was "clear" from George Mason's will that he had never intended for any tax liability to fall on his brother or friends. Despite the ruling, he said, the RSPCA would still receive £370,000 of Mr Mason's money.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">"Everybody knew that George was an animal lover, so [his will] wasn't a surprise at all," said Jonathan Troop, John Mason's godson. "The surprise was when the letters from Withers [RSPCA's solicitors] started arriving. We decided that the only way forward was to try to stand up to them. To be honest, we didn't think they would ever take it to court, because their position was so tenuous and their argument was so technical we thought they wouldn't risk it."</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Clare Kelly, John Mason's solicitor, said she thought it was "quite disgusting" that a donation which had been left in good faith by an elderly animal lover had been used to pursue his relatives for more money. "You'd think that a charity that had essentially had a windfall of £370,000 would not then think: 'Let's go for more,'" she said. "I don't know why they're playing such a tough game. My view is that it's a complete misuse of the funding they're getting. In this case they were left several hundred thousand pounds, and they were trying to get several hundred thousand more."</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Ms Kelly added that Mr Mason would have struggled to cover the costs if he lost, and found the proceedings "very distressing".</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This entire case has made me think very carefully about what I do with money," she said. "I think people leave money to charity to do good. But had [Mr Mason] known that this was how his brother would be treated then he probably would have thought much more carefully about what he did with the money." Another legal source who observed the proceedings said there had been "no merit" in the RSPCA's case. "I could not believe it went as far as court. What would possess any charity to make such claims and to put people through that is beyond me. Pure greed is the only logical explanation I can come up with," the source said. A further notable recent case is that of Dr Christine Gill, 59, pictured below, an academic from North Yorkshire who took the charity to court over the inheritance of her parents' £2.3m farm. She won her battle after the judge ruled that her father had coerced her mother into drawing up a will in which she left the farm to the charity. Last week, the RSPCA was ordered to pay the bulk of the hefty £1.3m legal costs.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">"I was a little bit daunted by the fact that it was an extremely wealth charity," said Dr Gill, who is now waiting to see if the RSPCA will appeal against the decision. "If you're infinitely rich like the RSPCA then it doesn't matter, but my family could have been out on the streets if it had all gone badly wrong. I've been very fortunate really. I know they're a charity in favour of animals, but the way they treat people seems to be rather harsh. It would be nice to just get on with my life. The money worries, always waiting for decisions. It just takes you over. It's an overwhelming thing, a constant cloud in the sky."</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">One of the judge's main criticisms of the RSPCA in the Gill case was its "unreasonable" attitude towards mediation: nobody from the charity agreed to meet Dr Gill to hammer out a settlement before the case came to court.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">"I think there's been a perception that charities are seen as a soft touch in will disputes, and there was a conscious decision by the RSPCA to send a message that they weren't a soft touch any more," said Dr Gill's solicitor, Mark Keenan. "But this was not the right case to do that. Had they met Christine, I think that their views would have changed."</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">But Paul Hewitt, a partner at Withers law firm who fought the RSPCA's case against Mr Mason, told The Independent yesterday that he felt the ruling in that case had been "grossly unfair" and that the judge had been "wrong" to dismiss the case. He also pointed out that the "vast majority" of legacy cases in which the charity is involved are settled out of court.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">"Although I do a lot of work for charities, I hardly ever go to court, because one always tried to sort out these things in advance. But resolving it wasn't possible here," he said. "The RSPCA did not take the decision to do this lightly. We thought, and we still do, that we were honouring Mr Mason's wishes.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">"If I say to a charity: 'I'm leaving you £200,000', and the charity only receives £50,000, should it just walk away? If the benefactor wants the charity to have this money, the charity has an obligation to use it. It would be a breach of the trustees' duties if they walked away from bequests."</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">A spokeswoman for the RSPCA said: "Each case is examined on its merits. Where it seems appropriate to seek a settlement without resorting to court action then of course we will do so. Over the last 17 years we have processed a total of over 30,000 bequests. Of this figure in only 30 instances have we been involved in court proceedings."</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">When asked how it justified spending people's legacy donations on court costs, the charity said: "Of course we would rather spend monies generously left to us on direct animal welfare, but it is because their last wishes have been questioned that charities find themselves in having to defend their generosity. If we were to ignore their wishes it could be argued that no animals would ever benefit from any such legacy that comes to us.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">"We are a charity devoted to the cause of animal welfare, and we believe that our donors would expect us to ensure that we receive people's kind bequests. Indeed we could be criticised for being negligent in this regard."</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">What some of the public have to say:</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 10px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 12px; "><div class="comment-body" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 10px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF33;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">'Greed knows no limit in today's Britain. What a shame! I am curious to know the salary of the director of this trust.'</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66FF99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">'They really are shameless - it's actually worse than wasting tax payers' money because they are a charity supposedly doing good work - this isn't the first scandal they have been involved with it's just the tip of the iceberg.<br />I'd rather give my money to another charity after their sickening behaviour going after even more of a dead mans money.'</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF33;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">'Perfectly understandable that the RSPCA should try for the jack-pot. People seem to forget there are a lot of extremely highly-paid do-gooders and lay-abouts on the payrole of these organisations. They have one thing in common -' they believe fervently in the old adage that charity begins at home. On a humane note; where would they go to earn a living if the public stopped supporting them ? They are not otherwise employable. We live in an age where damn near everything is a scam. It comes from the top down.'</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66FF99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">'With this attitude, the RSPCA could find themselves at the bottom of anyone's list when giving away free money. Their unadulterated greed has not only cost them about a million pound over the two cases mentioned but millions more in donations in the future.</span></span></div><div class="comment-body" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 10px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66FF99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />If they come knocking at my door, I would have to pretend I'm not in, incase they sue me. Besides, doesn't this charity put down thousands of perfectly healthy animals in their care every year for lack of funding?<br />How much more good could they do if they ditched the lawyers and spent donations on what they said they would?</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">'</span></div><div class="comment-body" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 10px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF33;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">'Where is the charity in the all of this ?<br /><br />The Trustees need to reassess their priorities ?<br /><br />Suing for money from elderly people simply is not charity, the type of thing some Machiavellian lawyer would do.'</span></span></div><div class="comment-body" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 10px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66FF99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">'Somewhere at the heart of all this there is an extreme idealogue.<br /><br />Following the dreadful case of Dr. Gill's mistreatment, it is time for The Queen to step in and ask them to reconsider their position, or lose all rights to the word 'Royal'.<br /><br />Responding to Paul Hewitt's point, if a tax complication arises because of a will drafting that means they get a lesser amount, that is an education problem for those who draft wills, not the individual who made the promise.<br /><br />And the sentiment that 'If the benefactor wants the charity to have this money, the charity has an obligation to use it.' seems to be some strange justification for terrorising the lives of older people because either family issues or poor will drafting caused a problem. And now two justices have robustly thrown out Hewitt's cases.<br /><br />I am certainly not donating a penny any more.'</span></span></div><div class="comment-body" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 10px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF33;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">'...that when God read this, he made sure extra kittens died due to their money being spent on legal fees!'</span></span></div><div class="comment-body" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 10px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66FF99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">'The RSPCA like other money grabbing organisations that masquerade as 'charities' lost my support years ago. These sort of court cases do them little merit but the plus side is that they are exposed for what they rea</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">lly are.'</span></div><div class="comment-body" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 10px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF33;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">'This organisation is well known for going after pet owners who actually haven't broken any law, and simply been reported by malicious neighbours trying to settle a score.<br />They are well known for pursuing cases for years and years even on the most unreliable evidence.<br />The 'private eye' publication has published these reports which the mainstream media refuses to print.<br /><br />This notion that the RSPCA is some sort of cute long time establishment all round good organisation is so wrong.<br />It's time they stopped harassing pet owners who are found to be doing no harm, stop abusing their power and do something about that over active greed gland pursuing dead people's money in such a disgusting manner.'</span></span></div><div class="comment-body" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 10px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66FF99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">'The RSPCA prevents and deals with a great deal of cruelty committed against the animals of this country and should be applauded for doing so; however, on this topic they are totally wrong. </span></span></div><div class="comment-body" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 10px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66FF99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Be grateful for the money that you are given and do a better job of educating solicitors on how donors can maximise their legacies without disadvantaging other beneficiaries. This will prevent such cases ever having to take place and avoid the drop in donations that I fear actions like Gill and Mason's will cause </span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66FF99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />If the RSPCA does not change its immoral policy towards those kind enough to leave it a legacy then the only true losers will be the very animals that the RSPCA is supposed to be protecting.'</span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-weight: normal; line-height: 12px; "><div class="comment-body" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 10px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div class="comment-body" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 10px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF33;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">'I agree - the problem is the RSPCA knows it does good work and it's hard to find fault with an organisation that helps animals and does such good work, most of the time.</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF33;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />However their recent cases where they have brought cruelty charges against pet owners and been found to have been totally wrong in bringing the cases in the first place is reflective of the culture the RSPCA operates under.<br />As seen in this case they try to bully and bulldozer people through the courts without any sort of discussion or meetings to try to find a solution. They think they are a law unto themselves or above the law and abuse legal process to get their way for the sake of getting their way.<br /><br />I am glad useless Judges have woken up to the fact that these 'feelgood' societies sometimes need to be put in their place when their over active greed glands get going.<br /><br />I read about a case of a horse owner who was reported by a neighbour over a vendetta that was long running. The RSPCA took the horse without so much as a vet present and had the police there to prevent him from stopping them. It was later found the horse was not being mistreated, there was no supporting evidence etc yet the man had to fund something like 16 thousand pounds of his own money to get the horse back through the courts. This is an awful abuse of power by the RSPCA and for this reason I would never donate to them ever again. Personally I don't like this 'royal' title either.'</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-weight: normal; line-height: 12px; "><div class="comment-body" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 10px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div class="comment-body" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 10px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66FF99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">'Royal Society for the Persecution (or Prosecution) of Children And old people'</span></span></div><div class="comment-body" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 10px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF33;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">'Perhaps someone could investigate the relationship between the RSPCA and the solicitors they use. Who in his right mind would spend £1.3m on legal fees? My first thought would be that somewhere down the line, someone is diverting money to a more personal good cause.'</span></span></div><div class="comment-body" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 10px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66FF99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">'I can only speak personally</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66FF99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />As seen with the RSPCA the big charities tend to become uncaring and inefficient. The recent legal actions by the RSPCA has cost them over a million pounds due to their insensitive stupidity, thats a million pounds that folk have donated to the RSPCA going to the lawyers instead of the animals. Another big problem of big charities is that they tend to duplicate the roles of other charities, have high administration costs and wage costs.<br /><br />I prefer to go small and local. So any donations to a charity shop heads to the charity shop that supports a local based charity, in my case a hospice.<br /><br />I prefer to make sure any donations go to something that counts, again these will be small charities, and I will stipulate how the funds are used.<br /><br />I have selected three small charities: two being memorial trusts set up in memory of dead children; and one connected to the Cornish Chough. I have plans to create a trust in which to place a sum of money to be distributed to the three small charities on an annual basis. I will refuse to donate any money to any other charity during my life other than to the three charities in question, hence the likes of the money grasping RSPCA will never see a penny.<br /><br />I am going to be alive for many decades to come, but via the trust I will be able to direct how my money will be used in the three selected charities, these being small enough that I have some influence. This will be a long term relationship over many years, when I eventually die everything goes to the trust and it will continue to direct how the three charities will use my money for all eternity (until the money runs out, or the charities disband, whichever comes first).'</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 12px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 12px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF33;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">'The point is that the RSPCA are routinely using donations to fund court cases with the hope of settling out of court. It disgusting and they can certainly kiss any hope of a donation from me goodbye. They should be grateful for the windfall not try and upset members of the deceased by trying to take additional funds from them.'</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 12px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 12px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66FF99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">'The people in question did no wrong, the RSPCA came after them for money it had no right to have.<br /><br />Let me quote from the Independent:<br />"Last week, the RSPCA was ordered to pay the bulk of the hefty £1.3m legal costs."<br /><br />In other words a lot of little old ladies donated £1.3m to the RSPCA to be given to those hungry looking things called lawyers instead of cute puppies and kittens.'</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 12px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 12px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF33;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">'I've never liked them. My wife gives them £5 a month I keep telling her they are a self serving organisation that helps animals merely as an excuse to justify it's continued existence, maybe this and other case will allow me to convince her to cancel the Direct Debit.'</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 12px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 12px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66FF99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">'I read this article with rising indignation until I saw the detail of what George Mason had said in his will. Unless I am missing something, he appears to have left a specific amount to the RSPCA and the rest (presumably after duties etc) was to be shared with his brother and friends. I happen to think it is bizzare to leave such large amounts to animals, but if a friend of mine did that, I would be happy to honour it before getting my hands on the rest, which was presumably still a sizeable windfall.'</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 12px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 12px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF33;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">'I'm not great fan of Dickens (an early supporter) but he surely would despise this mean spirited, pettyfogging attitude persisting in modern Britain. Well endowed charities seem to employ self righteous packs of snarling greedmongers. (Don't they say dog owners become like their animals?)<br /><br />Robert Burns said something touching too about 'lawyers' - ('mongrels snapping at the kennels of justice ...') or something similar.<br /><br />"What a parcel of rogues in a nation."'</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 12px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 12px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66FF99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">'RSPCA - you are a disgrace. I have, for the last 10 years, donated on a monthly basis to your organisation.<br /><br />I have today cancelled my DD and will never again give you a penny.'</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 12px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 12px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF33;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">'So the RSPCA, a charity which exists to protect animals, feels it is ok to bully John Mason, a very old man, into a settlement out of court and finally put him through the ordeal of going to court. What heartless, greedy, unprincipled bullies. They know that most people, especially older people, are frightened of going to law or can't afford the risk of losing and having to pay costs. How can a charity which protects animals justify treating old and recently bereaved people in this way? Thank goodness he found a solicitor who stood up for him and a judge who has put a stop to their unfounded claim and denied them leave to appeal. How many more out of court settlements are the RSPCA pursuing at present? How much do they spent on lawyers? Shouldn't the Charity Commission investigate?'</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 12px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 12px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66FF99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">'To answer slyfas' question about how much the Chief Executive earns, these are the figures in the 2008 Annual report, land here they are for you to marvel at:<br />'the emoluments of higher paid staff within the following scales were:<br /><br />9 employees were paid £60,000 – £69,999<br />4 employees were paid £70,000 – £79,999<br />4 employees were paid £80,000 – £89,999<br />2 employees were paid £90,000 – £99,999<br />1 employee was paid £100,000 – £109,999 - I guess this is the Chief Executive<br />These sums exclude the pension scheme contributions which a further note to the accounts tells you are made by the RSPCA for these already high earning people<br /><br />Makes you think doesn't it? One assumes all the donations the RSPCA gets go to animal welfare.....'</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 12px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 12px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF33;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">'what a lot of people sadly dont realise is when they leave money to the rspca or donate by direct debit they are leaving/giving it to there multi million pound headquarters to spend on legal battles like this, and adverts getting you to give them more, and ofcourse the extremly high wage of there headoffice staff. no money donated direct to the rspca goes to the many small branches up and down the country who actually do all the work they are responsible for there own funding and the local inspector, some branches struggle to get by. believe me i am no fan of the rspca i am involved with a very small rescue charity and i hear and see a lot of things that the rspca would rather you didnt know about. like the case of the poor unfortunate gsd's murdered by them with bolt guns cause they couldnt be bothered to take them into care. there have been many such cases, i would never give one penny to the main rspca but i might possibly give to one of the local small branches because they are actually the ones doing all the work related to animal welfare.'<br /></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:7;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 53px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: -webkit-xxx-large; line-height: 14px;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div></b></span></span></div>Justice4animalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10173758244083522428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8070204207960874892.post-64690934994559432772010-02-11T12:53:00.000-08:002010-02-11T13:01:14.284-08:00RSPCA criticised for demanding inheritance tax payment<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWJu4L_Ft1N94Ygt9TBhOLYhHmyjNlenazRSk1_jwSvM5NgBzpxkS2pO8re16vJNy0TWhVp8nwIuWlT_YjFr1dyXKkXx583ibPlobhKbAqFxWxFKVm8PhD8WXvs328IozdIGirmOdst4M/s1600-h/fat-lady.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWJu4L_Ft1N94Ygt9TBhOLYhHmyjNlenazRSk1_jwSvM5NgBzpxkS2pO8re16vJNy0TWhVp8nwIuWlT_YjFr1dyXKkXx583ibPlobhKbAqFxWxFKVm8PhD8WXvs328IozdIGirmOdst4M/s320/fat-lady.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437092105761015010" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">The High Court Judge said: </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 16px; font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> “This was a vexatious attack on the beneficiaries and the claim had absolutely no merit."</span></span></span><br /><div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Laura Whateley</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">A High Court judge has criticised the RSPCA for demanding that the heirs of a wealthy donor pay the inheritance tax on his gift.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The friends and brother of George Mason, who left the RSPCA more than £480,000 in his will, were taken to court by the animal charity.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">However, High Court judge Mr Justice Peter Smith dismissed the claim and ordered the RSPCA to pay the costs of the legal action on an indemnity basis - the highest level that can be awarded, which usually reflects the court’s displeasure.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Had the RSPCA won its case, legacies to George Mason’s friends Norman and Patricia Sharp, who are in their mid-seventies, would have been cut by more than £130,000, and brother John Mason, 85, would have received just £ 28,820.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This comes just a week after the RSPCA was ordered to pay the bulk of £1.3million legal costs after losing a lengthy court battle against Christine Gill, who was disinherited by her mother’s gift to the charity. Judge James Allen QC punished the charity for refusing to negotiate before the case came to court.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">George Mason, who died in 2007 aged 75, left £234,000 and his house in Gosport, Hampshire, worth around £169,000, to Mr Sharp, a seaman he had known for 30 years, and his wife.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Mr Mason had also given them £234,000 from his assets and £66,000 to his brother.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The residue of his estate - £482,820 - went to the RSPCA. The charity claimed the £112,667 inheritance tax should come from the other beneficiaries under the terms of the will.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">But Mr Justice Smith commented during the hearing that it was “clear” from reading the will that Mr Mason never intended that any tax liability should fall on his brother or friends and should be paid from the remainder of the estate after their legacy had been calculated.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Mr Justice Smith, who is to give his reasons for dismissing the claim in a written ruling in the future, said although the claim was not “frivolous” it was “extremely weak and should not have been brought”.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Keith Gordon, representing John Mason, told the judge after he dismissed the RSPCA’s claim that the charity should pay the legal costs itself rather than from the money it was gifted.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">He said: “This was a vexatious attack on the beneficiaries and the claim had absolutely no merit.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“To award costs directly against the RSPCA would give a message to the charity sector generally to learn from this lesson.”</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Even though the ruling had gone against the charity, it would still be receiving £370,000 after paying the inheritance tax bill.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Sarah Cooper, an associate at Hodge Jones & Allen LLP, said: “Generally it is presumed that gifts and legacies in a will are to take effect free of tax unless there is an indication to the contrary, meaning that the beneficiary of the residue is responsible for the inheritance tax.”</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/money/tax/article7023739.ece"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The Times</span></a></div></div>Justice4animalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10173758244083522428noreply@blogger.com0