Parliament debates RSPCA's role as prosecutor
The RSPCA has been at the centre of a rising furore over funds spent on prosecutions, and in particular those spent on prosecuting members of the Heythrop Hunt in Oxfordshire. Conservative MP Simon Hart has sponsored the first ever debate in the House of Commons on the RSPCA's role as prosecutor.
The debate, which took place yesterday, saw a range of opposing views on the charity's work. Mr Hart, former head of the Countryside Alliance, has questioned why the RSPCA carried out private prosecutions, whereas other charities relied upon the police. He said: "All of this has a cost to the taxpayer due to the beneficial tax relief that all charities benefit from."
The charity says it carries out the prosecutions itself as many of the cases they pass to the Crown Prosecution Service do no make it to court.
During the debate Mr Hart reportedly focused largely on cases where the RSPCA has taken court action against elderly or vulnerable pet owners. Speaking of the hunt however he said he is "not here to defend people who breach the law," though critics accused him of trying to reopen the debate on fox-hunting. Labour MP Paul Murphy said: "All we have here today is the malice and spite of the pro-hunting lobby. The ban must be strengthened and reinforced."
Debate in the House of Commons yesterday was heated, with some MPs suggesting the RSPCA should hand over evidence from its investigations to the CPS, rather than pursuing prosecutions privately. Referring to the Heythrop Hunt case, former solicitor-general Sir Edward Garnier said: "Were a prosecution of that nature brought by the CPS…there would have been a far greater grip on the management of that case."
Other MPs however, claimed that the society was right to prosecute anyone guilty of animal cruelty - whether an individual pet owner or a fox hunt. Shadow Attorney General Emily Thornberry said: "Can we trust the RSPCA? The truth is that the vast majority of the public think we can." Cheryl Gillian, MP for Chesham and Amersham added: "I am second to none in my admiration of the RSPCA."
An RSPCA spokesman noted after the debate that "today's debate in Westminster Hall…only served to show how much cross-party support there is for the RSPCA from politicians. We take our responsibilities as a prosecuting body extremely seriously and will continue to do so. We are as committed to our mission, to promoting compassion to all creatures and prevent cruelty, as ever."
Two independent vets have launched a podcast to help owners strengthen their bond with pets. Dr Maggie Roberts and Dr Vanessa Howie, who have worked in both veterinary practice and major charities, are keen to use their experience to enable people to give pets a better life.
