Vet let off by RSPCA for leaving dog to die in car

[kita1]

This vet left his two Labs in a car for six hours. One died. RSPCA refused to prosecute. RCVS refuse to take any action. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/artic le6638196.ece So it is OK to leave dogs in cars to die - as long as you are a vet!! What sort of message does this send out to people!

[Graham-W]

The power is in our hands. If, when you need to use the vets, you refuse to accept treatment from a Mr. Alex Gough, he will find his career as a vet may well be over. If Mr. Alex Gough turns up at your local surgery let everyone know what he is responsible for.

[garner]

Disgusting.......The RSPCA are rubbish ,everyday there is some report of the very nasty deeds they get up to.Only the other day in the paper was a report from a couple who's cat had been pick up by the RSPCA and put to sleep within an hour.The couple were devastated that they did this within such a short time.The mind boggles at the terrible things that are happening with this organisation.I think you are better giving your money to your local rescue centre,who for the most part are doing it out of love and not money.g

[paraffin]

He wasn't "let off by RSPCA". They cautioned him.

What has to be borne in mind is that the RSPCA, as a charitable body, can only bring private prosecutions, and those cost money. Such prosecutions are obviously expensive and are not funded through the public purse.

It would be akin to one of us, say, suing another individual over, lets say, a boundary dispute. Fine if you can afford to do it, but virtually impossible if you can't.

We only have to see the results of the more serious prosecutions brought by the RSPCA reported on the news from time to time. How often are we all left scratching our heads in frustration at the lenient punishments meted out to offenders?

I share the anger of every true animal lover but unless the fincancial situation of admirable organisations like the RSPCA improves significantly, matters will not improve and animals will continue to suffer, even die, in the wrong hands. Like it or not it's a question of priorities governed by insufficient funding.

[Springdouble]

Paraffin, you are absolutely spot on with your answer. I am a huge fan of the RSPCA , which is, as you point out , a charity..They are asked to deal with all types of requests from the public, some of which put strains on what are limited resources. The society undertakes all manner of tasks with regards to animal welfare, both in the domestic and pet sector to the wildlife area and beyond. The RSPCA will deal with calls from members of the public regarding situations as diverse as a dog left in a hot car to a swan who has swallowed a fishing hook and from a hedgehog found out in the daylight to stopping the barbaric practice of Badger baiting. All this with no public funding at all and purely dependant on the great animal loving citizens in England and Wales. As you point out , many prosecutions taken out result in only minimal punishment for what are generally terrible crimes against defenceless animals.
The society does endless good for wildlife and domestic pets 7 days a week, 365 days a year and is not a business or company declaring outrageous profits, it offers it's services totally free of charge and funds veterinary treatment for animals who are sick or injured with no known owner and attends wild animals who are ill or in distress, and I for one am grateful we have such an organisation to rely on.

[Beauj]

Maybe it is time that the RSPA is linked to, and paid for, by Local Authority!! I.E. > Dog wardens. Then they will be gorverned by stronger rules and will have to address issues which the public bring to their attention, no matter who the culprit!

Pay the people a decent wage to carry out a service which is truly needed and get the Law Breakers & animal offenders sorted out!