RSPCA prosecutions under threatThe RSPCA is facing an investigation by MPs into whether it should be allowed to continue to investigate and prosecute its own cases. The environment, food and rural affairs select committee will examine whether the charity should be allowed to formally investigate and bring charges in cases of animal cruelty. The move comes after the RSPCA was forced to apologise for prosecuting a couple on the grounds that their cat was underweight with matted fur – a case which was subsequently dropped after the CPS intervened. The RSPCA has also been accused of seeking prosecutions for political reasons, after a study last year showed that four out of five attempts to prosecute figures linked to hunting had failed, costing taxpayers at least £70,000.
