RSPCA 'should step back from prosecutions' - MPs
The RSPCA has vowed to continue prosecuting animal abusers regardless of the report's recommendations.
A cross-party committee of MPs has called for the RSPCA to withdraw from acting as private prosecutor when there are statutory bodies in place to carry out the role.
The environment, food and rural affairs committee (EfraCom) made the recommendation in its report, 'Animal welfare in England: domestic pets', which was released today (16 November).
Committee chair Neil Parish MP explained: "The RSPCA does important work investigating animal welfare cases. And I would like to see its dedicated and professional staff continue that vital work.
"The committee is not convinced, however, that the RSPCA is in a better position than the Crown Prosecution Service when it comes to prosecuting animal welfare cases. It should step back from making prosecutions itself, continuing instead to work closely with the police and prosecution service to protect the welfare of animals."
The report instead recommends the government place a statutory duty on local authorities to enforce the Animal Welfare Act, making sure appropriate resources are made available.
Responding to the news, the UK's leading animal welfare organisations issued a joint statement rejecting moves to diminish the RSPCA's prosecution powers, which they believe would be 'hugely detrimental' to animal welfare.
The RSPCA has vowed to continue prosecuting animal abusers regardless of the report's recommendations. Chief executive Jeremy Cooper said the calls from MPs are "not supported by the government, vets, other major animal welfare charities, and local authorities, and [fly] in the face of the majority of evidence put before the committee."
BVA president Gudrun Ravetz called the MPs' focus on the RSPCA a "disappointing distraction" from what is otherwise a positive report, making many practical suggestions to improve pet welfare.
"Calls to reduce the RSPCA's prosecution powers received scant support from the organisations and individuals submitting evidence during the EfraCom inquiry so it is surprising that MPs are not only progressing, but shining a light on this recommendation," she said.
"The RSPCA is currently responsible for over 90 per cent of prosecution activity on animal welfare issues and it is unclear who else would have the resources to take on this vital role."
Other measures recommended in the report, however, have long been called for by the BVA and other veterinary and animal welfare organisations.
MPs urged the government to:
- Ban the third party sale of dogs so they can only be sold from licensed, regulated breeders or approved rehoming centres
- Require anyone breeding two litters or more per year to be licensed as a breeder
- Update dog breeding legislation with a licensing regime based on modern welfare standards
- Make the Pet Advertising Advisory Group's minimum standards mandatory for all websites advertising and selling pets
- Require internet pet adverts to include the seller's registration or licence number
- Pass regulations to protect the genetic viability and welfare of offspring, as well as adult dogs
- Increase the age at which dogs can enter the UK under the Pet Travel Scheme to six months
- Increase the maximum penalty for animal welfare offences to five years
- Set up a national animal welfare inspectorate to aid the enforcement of licensing regimes for pet breeding and sale
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
