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RSPCA to cease private prosecutions
The RSPCA will continue to investigate cases of animal cruelty in England and Wales.
Charity will continue to investigate cases but plans to work closely with the Crown Prosecution Service.

The RSPCA has announced that it is exploring the transfer of its animal welfare prosecuting role to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to focus on its frontline animal rescue work.

Announced as part of the charity's new strategy for animal welfare, the charity said that it will continue to investigate cases of animal cruelty in England and Wales. 

RSPCA chief executive Chris Sherwood said: “We are proud of our history bringing animal abusers to justice and for many years we have been the right people to do this vital work. However, the world has changed and we have to change with it.

“We launched our new strategy this week, and a key part of this is working in partnership with other organisations with the responsibility and expertise to support our work.

“The CPS is the statutory body with responsibility for taking prosecutions in England and Wales and by working more closely in partnership with them, we can free up resources to focus on our unique frontline investigation, rescue and care work, where we can make the most difference to animals.

“However, we reserve the right to take a prosecution in future if we feel that justice is not being done for animals.”

Figures released by the RSPCA show that just one per cent of more than 100,000 cruelty reports that it receives each year go to court. Many of the cases are dealt with through education, advice and support, it said. 

The RSPCA has also announced that it is seeking statutory powers under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 for its frontline animal rescuers. This would allow them to access private land and outbuildings, but not homes if there was 'reasonable expectation' of animal suffering. 

The changes would bring England and Wales in line with Scotland and Ireland where the SPCAs have statutory powers and pass their cases to the state prosecutor.

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

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News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.