Response to badger baiting allegations
Allegations made by the Ulster Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (USPCA) during reports by the BBC Newsline program of March 15th 2012 that NI veterinary surgeons are failing to report suspected incidents of badger-baiting has prompted a response from the North of Ireland Veterinary Association (the NI division of the British Veterinary Association).
Commenting, President of the North of Ireland Veterinary Association Bert Allison said “Our Association, and veterinary surgeons across Northern Ireland and Great Britain, are sickened and appalled by these activities. We are grateful to the BBC for highlighting the problem and bringing it to the attention of the public. Veterinary surgeons work under a professional code of conduct to uphold animal health and welfare and care deeply about the animals under their care. The claim by USPCA that veterinary surgeons are deliberately failing to report incidents is therefore shocking.”
“However, if there is evidence that this has happened the USPCA must provide all relevant information to the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons which is the statutory regulator of the veterinary profession. Under our professional code all veterinary surgeons must provide treatment to alleviate the suffering of an animal presented to them however the gangs abusing these animals may be obtaining veterinary care by deception. We are contacting our members urgently to offer support and remind them how to report suspected incidents safely and within the law.”
