rspca

[bribrian]

Originally Posted by ian14

I can assure you that they will not act illegally

I'll bet a few people could claim otherwise........

[Chris Newman]

Originally Posted by ian14

I would suggest that all that has happened is that the RSPCA have received a complaint, and, as a statutory body with investigative powers, the inspector has gone to the house, as he/she is LEGALLY required to do to investigate whether or not there is any substance to the complaint. As they got no answer, a calling card has been left.
Having worked with the RSPCA for many years in a professional capacity, I can assure you that they will not act illegally and are fully aware of their powers and the limit to them. They will gain nothing from acting illegally.
They have a duty to investigate all complaints.
At the end of the day, if you have done nothing wrong then you have nothing to worry about.
In terms of from selling home, this would not be an RSPCA matter, but they do still have to look into it!
When it comes to herps, the RSPCA will almost always use an expert as they have little expertise themselves.

VERY IMPORTANT

The RSPCA is NOT a statutory body, and it has NO powers, they also have NO legal obligation to investigate anything, they are NOT a law enforcement agency. The RSPCA is a charitable organisation, that allegedly promotes animal welfare. As a charity the RSPCA have no more powers or rights than any other member of the general public.

[Moshpitviper]

Originally Posted by Chris Newman

VERY IMPORTANT

The RSPCA is NOT a statutory body, and it has NO powers, they also have NO legal obligation to investigate anything, they are NOT a law enforcement agency. The RSPCA is a charitable organisation, that allegedly promotes animal welfare. As a charity the RSPCA have no more powers or rights than any other member of the general public.

Bravo CHRIS!

[Fangio]

Phone them, tell them you don't keep snakes and not to waste your time.

Also add that as it's not illegal to keep or sell snakes then they can go jump even if it were true.

[bosshogg]

Originally Posted by Chris Newman

VERY IMPORTANT

The RSPCA is NOT a statutory body, and it has NO powers, they also have NO legal obligation to investigate anything, they are NOT a law enforcement agency. The RSPCA is a charitable organisation, that allegedly promotes animal welfare. As a charity the RSPCA have no more powers or rights than any other member of the general public.

so true

[ian14]

The RSPCA have the power to interview under caution and to bring about prosecutions. As a serving police officer I work with them on a regular basis. In terms of experts, certainly in the Thames Valley area, they use Bruce McLean, a reptile vet who, as far as I am aware from comments on this forum is well respected. For those of you who don't think they have access to experts, I'm sorry but they do! When it comes to RSPCA need an expert witness, which is a person deemed by the Court to be an expert in their field.
I agree, it does seem odd that the RSPCA have gone if it is just a concern about selling animals.

[Chris Newman]

Originally Posted by ian14

The RSPCA have the power to interview under caution and to bring about prosecutions. As a serving police officer I work with them on a regular basis. In terms of experts, certainly in the Thames Valley area, they use Bruce McLean, a reptile vet who, as far as I am aware from comments on this forum is well respected. For those of you who don't think they have access to experts, I'm sorry but they do! When it comes to RSPCA need an expert witness, which is a person deemed by the Court to be an expert in their field.
I agree, it does seem odd that the RSPCA have gone if it is just a concern about selling animals.

The RSPCA bring private prosecutions, they are not public prosecutors. ANY person can use the caution from PACE. The RSPCA use it as a means of intimidation and to imply they have the power of arrest, which is untrue, they have no more powers of arrest than any other member of the public. I always find it disturbing that serving police officer believe the RSPCA are in some way an enforcement agency, they are not.

[cannotstopbuyingballs]

Originally Posted by Chris Newman

VERY IMPORTANT

The RSPCA is NOT a statutory body, and it has NO powers, they also have NO legal obligation to investigate anything, they are NOT a law enforcement agency. The RSPCA is a charitable organisation, that allegedly promotes animal welfare. As a charity the RSPCA have no more powers or rights than any other member of the general public.

absolutely, The RSPCA are a charity and have no powers of arrest and seizure with out a police officer and a warrant. I would of not called them back.

It is a shame that they have become so political. Every civilised country needs an animal welfare organisation but they are so biased they have lost all respect

[xmashx]

yeh but we dont just have the rspca isnt the pdsa a charity aswell or have i mixed things up ?
xsachax

[koganinja]

Originally Posted by Chris Newman

The RSPCA bring private prosecutions, they are not public prosecutors. ANY person can use the caution from PACE. The RSPCA use it as a means of intimidation and to imply they have the power of arrest, which is untrue, they have no more powers of arrest than any other member of the public. I always find it disturbing that serving police officer believe the RSPCA are in some way an enforcement agency, they are not.

well said chris