FOLLOWING IS A LETTER TO DOGS TODAY FROM THE ANIMAL WELFARE ALLIANCE.
Dear Editor
We would like to comment on the RSPCA article in Dogs Today, June 2012.
CEO Gavin Grant states that 'Only the RSPCA has the power to investigate animal cruelty', and by implication, prosecute. This is wrong because anyone can investigate and bring a private prosecution if they so wish. The RSPCA has no powers whatsoever, they are a charity, no more, no less.
Grant's statement that he is in talks with Social Housing providers to limit tenants to one animal per household, is not only an infringement of Civil Liberties, but will condemn thousands of dogs to death. Many people in social housing have two dogs or several cats, and are largely responsible people because we are far more regulated than owner-occupiers. Councils and Housing Associations already have the power to tackle anti social behaviour in whatever form it takes, including dogs. Many social housing and private landlords already ban dogs/pets from their properties, with the result that people are forced to part with their pets if they have to move, which in turn puts further burdens on rescues.
It is also discrimination against those who have no choice but to rent, since owner-occupiers can have as many pets as they wish.
Who gave Grant or the RSPCA the right to decide who can have pets and how many.? The abusers are in a small minority and not all of them live in social housing !
On the subject of microchipping and licensing.; The RSPCA are to be given access to a microchip database. What about Dogs Trust and others.? Are they to be given access too.? If not, why not.? As already stated, the RSPCA are just a charity, so we believe they have no right to access any database, especially if no-one else can.
Regarding the licence, again we believe that the RSPCA will either expect access, or even intend to monitor the system themselves, giving them access to every responsible dog owner in the country. Another infringement of Civil Liberties and the Data Protection Act, since the RSPCA have no official capacity.
When the licence was last in force, only 44% of people bought one. (Defra figures), so why would it be any more successful this time, and more to the point, how would it have any impact at all on dog breeders, dog fighting and status dogs.?
The RSPCA give the impression that THEY would like control of every animal in the country, and indeed, every rescue, given how many they raid per annum. This in itself must be illegal, yet no-one does anything to stop them.!
The RSPCA stopped taking in strays about three years ago, concentrating on cases which would give them publicity and gain donations. It also put a huge extra burden on other rescues.
Now Grant wants to limit the number of pets per household. Far from the Prevention in their name, the RSPCA would be contributing to the deaths of thousands of healthy dogs because people are unable to adopt more than one.
Lastly, the RSPCA shelters are franchises who have to raise their own funds and pay a franchise fee to Head Office for use of the RSPCA logo. Meawhile the RSPCA is planning a 30 million plus new headquarters.....do the public know where their money is going.?
All in all, we believe that the RSPCA has long since lost its way and is becoming a draconian force for ill. Yet no-one seems to regulate them and no alarm bells ring within Government !
Interesting to note also that the head of the RSPCA itself, the head vet and the head of Freedom Foods are all called Grant, are they related.?
Yours Sincerely
The Animal Welfare Alliance
