RSPCA Powers To Be Reviewed

MPs will review RSPCA’s power to prosecute people for animal abuse.

16:46 22 September 2015

MPs will review and decide if the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) should continue to both investigate and prosecute cases of animal cruelty.

 

While RSPCA says that private prosecutions saves the Government £50million a year, Neil Parish, the chairman of the Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs Select Committee, said that it was important the “right cases” were taken to court.

 

"Sometimes there are cases which we feel they shouldn't have prosecuted on. Other times we would like to know why they didn't prosecute,"

 

"They need to balance what they do as an animal welfare organisation with campaigning activities," he said.

 

Defence lawyer Ms Howe agreed. She said: "The people making decisions are not solicitors or barristers.”

 

"In state prosecutions there are codes of practice which have to be followed, where prosecution is a last resort. But there is no way to check the RSPCA follow them.”

 

RSPCA head of public affairs David Bowles said that taking the responsibility to prosecute away from the state saves the government £50million a year. He added: "Police in England and Wales don't have the resources - animal welfare is not a high-priority area for them.”