I couldn’t resist sharing this new piece from the satirical magazine Private Eye. The publication is well known for lampooning powerful figures and organisations within the British establishment. Here, they take to task – and not for the first time – the animal welfare charity the RSPCA. They mention the double standards that came into evidence after the killing of Gangotri, on the Hare Krishna farm in Hertfordshire, England.
The Vaishnava Voice 
Its a bit like in the ‘cruelty free’ cosmetic world, people now complain that the Body Shop is sold out and try to undo what Anita Roddick did – but the main thing is that she put cruelty free cosmetics on the map. The RSPCA may not be perfect but they have done a lot of good and continue to do a lot of good and now, as they are so hugely recognized they will of course be picked on for the times they make a mistake. I believe they have made, and will continue to make, errors, but I personally would never like to fight an organization who has done so much for animals in this country.
Tired of picking holes in those who do more good than wrong. There are some amazing people who have dedicated their life to trying to do good within the RSPCA same as there are in ISKCON. We should be trying to work together not fighting each other…
If you have since heard the File on 4 programme on Radio 4 it will be obvious that the RSPCA do more harm than good.
Take a look at:
http://tinyurl.com/4rjjw4
Horrified?
You can catch up at Radio 4’s Listen Again site
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/progs/listenagain.shtml#m
Note Frank Field is thinking of a public inquiry into the RSPCA prosecutions department. The SHG have been calling for a full public inquiry into the RSPCA and over 2000 people signed the No. 10 site petition for one.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/news/7631635.stm
MP attacks RSPCA prosecutions
The RSPCA needs to review its “unjust” policy on animal cruelty prosecutions, an MP has said.
Frank Field, MP for Birkenhead, is furious at the recent prosecution of a 71-year-old woman in his constituency, who ran a voluntary animal shelter.
Mr Field who backed the woman in court, told File On 4 that the creatures she looked after “lived the life of Riley” in her care.
But the RSPCA said the woman ignored a written warning and had refused help.
Pat Seager admitted charges relating to animal neglect earlier this month, but Mr Field took the unusual step of writing on her behalf to the court.
Mr Field told the BBC, that the pensioner had done a lot of good work for animals over the years and he had witnessed this at first hand.
“The whole thing makes my blood boil?it is so unjust,” he added.
He said her case was not uncommon.
“We need organisations like the RSPCA to properly protect and promote animal welfare.
“This isn’t the way to do it.”
He added: “They need to look very seriously at their prosecution policy.”
Reform call
Mr Field said RSPCA members needed to put pressure on its council for a change in policy otherwise it ought to face an external inquiry.
But the Phil Wilson, head of the RSPCA prosecution department told the BBC the woman had been prosecuted as a last resort.
“She was offered free veterinary care, we offered to take animals into our care,” he said.
The MP’s concerns however were echoed by leading barrister Jonathan Rich who said he was very troubled by the sort of defendants who were becoming typical of RSPCA prosecutions.
Public interest
“It might sound attractive to have an organisation prioritising the interests of animals but look at what it means for a farmer looking to retire whose cattle have not had the right treatment for a day or two.
“Is it really in the public interest for him to be prosecuted for cruelty?”
The RSPCA said it only prosecutes in the public interest after taking advice from independent vets.
The charity only prosecutes around half of the cases presented to it.
Superintendent Tim Wass, the RSPCA’s national emergency response co-ordinator, said new animal welfare legislation would help the RSPCA intervene to prevent animal cruelty and this would help lower the number of prosecutions.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/news/7631635.stm
Thank you for this Fenris.