RSPCA Criticised

RSPCA should be stripped of role of prosecutor

The RSPCA should be stripped of its right to pursue hunts or pet owners through the courts, police chiefs have told MPs. The National Police Chiefs Council said in a submission to the Environment Food and Rural Affairs committee that animal welfare prosecutions should be carried out by “a single agency, preferably a statutory body funded by Government”. The committee formally starts its investigation into the Animal Welfare Act on Tuesday this week. Meanwhile, an internal RSPCA report has found that police officers are being persuaded to support the RSPCA in carrying out unlawful acts because they don’t understand animal legislation