asal

ONLY taken 30 years since they jumped the rails in every state of Australia, to finally see perhaps recognition and so many lives already destroyed. https://player.fm/series/our-nation-today/senator-malcolm-roberts-calls-for-the-rspca-to-be-de-registered-as-a-charity?fbclid=IwAR3X1YVaq0_x0vcdw6nR71ibLpcJ16RkbuEpP__yjn-SCS8sJL2phAf9PvI In this podcast two guests join us to a discuss our modern-day RSPCA. What might surprise you is that this isn’t a heart-warming story. The Royal Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, known as the RSPCA, dates to 1871 when a public meeting was held in Victoria in response to the ill treatment of horses. The QLD RSPCA was formed in 1883. The RSPCA is a household name and many consider it a beacon of respect and care for animals. Today, the RSPCA has capitalised on its branding of animal welfare with producers and brand owners being able to use the RSPCA logo to reflect their shared vision for animal welfare. Today we can buy RSPCA approved meat in our supermarkets. Typically, we don’t question the integrity of the claimed “animal welfare” standards as we take for granted that this iconic brand is squeaky clean. Several QLD constituents contacted my office recently with extraordinary stories about how the RSPCA were conducting themselves. Since asking questions at Senate Estimates about the RSPCA, their methods and the legitimacy of their not-for-profit status, we’ve been flooded with more calls and emails. Their stories share many similar themes and the overall message is that there is something rotten in the state of the RSPCA. The concerns being raised are varied. The RSPCA’s charity status means that they are not-for-profit and enjoy a tax-free status. Looking closely at the recent annual report it shows revenue was $58 million and included in that is a $4 million Federal Govt grant. The hefty surplus of $8.7 million is what prompted Senate Estimates questions of the Commissioner for Charities and Not-For-Profits. My questions were about whether the RSPCA should continue to enjoy charitable status? We’re waiting for that answer as no-one could provide one on the day. The RSPCA appears to be leveraging its charity branding to become heavily commercial. I have already mentioned the RSPCA approved meat and today RSPCA pet shops are being set up in the suburbs. On the face of it there is no problem. It is when we understand how the RSPCA is conducting itself under its Inspectorate powers, that we see the problem. The RSPCA’s Inspectorate of RSPCA QLD, has power to investigate and confiscate animals that are poorly treated. That is the heart of what we expect from them. What we don’t expect is seizure of animals based on lies. We have dozens of examples where Inspectorate officers have entered properties and confiscated with no prior notification or investigation. All this is based on an anonymous tip off that is never disclosed to the property owners. The warrants JPs sign sometimes use photographs of animals in poor conditions, which do not match the animals to be seized. This is only the beginning. Some pet owners have then seen their animals online for sale within days. This is the problem when the RSPCA have a commercial arm alongside their charitable arm when they can confiscate and sell based on misuse of powers and lies. This is a clear conflict of interest. Many pet shop owners, registered breeders, private pet owners, animal rescuers and veterinarians have experienced the full force of the RSPCA’s misuse of power. Many have spoken out against this strong arm approach and suffered the consequences. Pet shop businesses have been sabotaged when the RSPCA advises their suppliers to blacklist them based on false accusations of animal cruelty. Veterinarians who have spoken out against this behaviour have also suffered from the RSPCA spreading false accusations regarding their standards of animal care. Business have been decimated through this belligerent behaviour. My two guests, who both own pet stores, join us to share their experiences with the RSPCA. Their stories are confronting. Leichelle and Nicole’s stories are extraordinary and not what we expect of a charity that is supposed to champion care and respect for animals. This unconscionable conduct is exploiting its charitable and tax-free status to create a multi-million dollar business. Its strong-arm approach is clearly outside of acceptable conduct under both the Acts. The RSPCA have become a law unto themselves, issuing warrants based on lies, not going through due process to investigate before seizing animals, extorting money out of people for housing their stolen animals and then annihilating local private businesses through negative media and malicious lies. It’s quite a rap sheet for the warm and fuzzy RSPCA we all grew up with. This belligerent and intimidatory behaviour must stop. Their exploitation business model must be stopped. I am calling for the RSPCA to be de-registered as a charity. I urge everyone to take your complaints to the ACCC and to the Charities and Not-for-Profit Commission for investigation. Everyone who donates to the RSPCA, think again. Any RSPCA employees, past or present, are invited to call my office and share their stories. This behaviour has gone under the radar for too long. We need to bring the RSPCA back to the animal welfare organisation it is supposed to be.

even guard kids they just met, never forget my brothers daughters didn't want to go home after their first visit, so they ran from their dad. he chased them, next I know brother is running for the house with my acd girl debbi hot on his heels "protecting" my neices. Breed trait. daughter wasn't any help either she was laughing too laughed so much I couldn't tell her to stop, he dived in the back door and closed it with me laughing my head off

A friend rang asking would I put her cattle dog girl in pup, when I asked why, she said Im hoping it will change her attitude to my baby. Immediate red flag to me. asked what’s going on with her. She said "I can’t risk her near my newborn baby." "Soon as she sees the baby she is looking about to attack" told her she might look like a cattle dog, but she sure isn't. If my dad saw that she would be wearing a bullet. Normal ACD takes one sniff of your newborn and it’s added to the list of family additions. , anything with your scent on it is automatically "your" property and now under guard.. Benny and Rosie after introduction to newborn Emma deserted their beds to sleep beside her cot, so Paul closed her bedroom door, so instead they guarded her door. 3 days later Sue and Paul went for a walk. The pair walked beside the pram. Instead of at heel. People coming the other way and crossed the road as they approached. Paul wondered why, so crossed the road and walked parallel to the pram. as the people approached both dogs "smiled" and the person crossed the road. .... That I told my friend is normal acd behaviour. There is something wrong with her dog. She had to build a run for her with a double fence so she could not grab her daughter, nor could the baby get an arm through the first fence to the second fence. I bet the parents of that baby were not reading their dog as well as my friend did with hers. Or their baby would still be alive.

probably simpler to ban all dogs from entering the zone. as well ban any dogs from going out of the area if infected. But then I suppose people will scream they are being denied their freedom

in drought conditions pattersens curse is deliberately grazed to keep conditon on the sheep and cattle until sale as they know they have to be sold by a minimum time or they will die before sale if left too long. forget the name of the toxin but they are consigned for sale for human consumption. cause of death if left on it too long? Liver failure The reason for its other name, salvation jane. saved the stock long enough to sell instead of buried.

Littermates. The effects of early spaying. One was spayed around 6 months. So she did not have the hormones to tell her when to grow and when to stop growing. It can also cause joint issues recessed vulva’s, incontinence, and cancer, etc. her bones grew too long, her rib cage did not expand like it should have and she also has skin issues now. The other one is her littermate who was never spayed she’s actually younger in the picture than the one that was spayed early. This has nothing to do with genetics, both of these puppies were show quality, both come from champions, the one looks like she came from a very poorly bred litter. And if you look at her puppy picture you can see her conformation is correct, her chest is to her elbows where it should be, but now at two years old it is not there and it should be.

stumbled on an update for the blue mountains shelter. so attitudes have not improved it seems, so well summed up by "Ward 1 councillor Kerry Brown said she felt the joint facility sounded "cruel and impractical". https://www.bluemountainsgazette.com.au/story/7048555/moving-ahead-for-wildlife-at-katoomba-rspca/ DECEMBER 16 2020 - 3:00PM Dual-purpose shelter a step closer at Katoomba RSPCA Jennie Curtin Local News The RSPCA has moved a step closer to creating a native wildlife sanctuary at its Katoomba facility, with National Parks giving it a provisional licence. But the organisation was unable to tell the Gazette how the dual purpose shelter might work or how the native and domestic animals will be kept separate. Repeated requests for information elicited no response. It is an issue worrying some members of the local RSPCA branch. Branch vice-president, Bob Kemnitz, said wildlife could be stressed "by the sight, sound or even smell of the dogs". He believed it could mean dogs being kept in a totally enclosed building. "I am concerned for the dogs which will need to be locked away in the new, totally enclosed kennels proposed for the site, in order to protect the wildlife which would be sharing the site with them." Ward 1 councillor Kerry Brown said she felt the joint facility sounded "cruel and impractical". "To avoid stressing wildlife, it means the companion animals would have to be kept permanently enclosed out of sight and sound of the outside world. For dogs this will be particularly stressful. How will they be exercised and how will the barking be managed inside the enclosure? They will be chewing their own paws in no time. "Dogs could only be kept in such conditions for a few days. So what happens if they are not returned to their owners or adopted quickly? I fear killing them would be the quickest and easiest solution." The granting of a provisional licence to rehabilitate wildlife is only a first step for the RSPCA. A revamped facility will need development consent, which will be submitted to the Local Planning Panel for determination. It comes as council and the organisation finalise an agreement for Katoomba to continue to operate as a pound for stray domestic animals. Councillors at an extraordinary meeting voted to negotiate a new deal with the RSPCA without going to open tender. A report noted that in previous processes in 2008, 2011 and 2016, the RSPCA had been the only valid tenderer. Crs Brown and Kevin Schreiber voted against the tender exemption but they then supported negotiating a new deal. "I think it is time we looked further afield," Cr Brown said. "That would include rescue groups, private animal care retreats, vets and also the feasibility of running our own service."

https://pedigreedogsexposed.blogspot.com/2017/08/the-frenchies-that-win-by-nose.html?m=1&fbclid=IwAR0wJ0TFSOOK3UekyGzncsawkXiGZuR5CZWQZlBxWwbKqrxcrFetyQikWuk looked up the website of the breeder of the dog on the right and they are registered FCI which apprently is recognised by the america KC no idea if recognised by Australian ankc interesting page http://www.hawbucks.nl/franse-bulldog/en/about-us/

lost the link where I found the photos. will do when I find it again. took me six months to refind this time darn

N.T. Vet has issued another warning considering the tick medications only work AFTER THE DOG is bitten it is going to be infected anyway. if you have a dog DONT go there. Would be far more effective in preventing carriers returning home to infect the local ticks and on to other dogs. dogs infected with heartworm were spread Australia wide after the cyclone in Darwin. now its endemic everywhere. Hervey Bay Rural Supplies. t23o JSpuonnen ats custsSh0o7f:Snrm2dedc3ei · DOG DISEASE - EHRILICHIOSIS Deadly dog disease 'explodes' across the north as the nomads return. A veterinarian working across northern Australia has sounded a new alarm over what he calls "an explosion" of cases of the deadly dog disease ehrlichiosis. Flying vet Campbell Costello said thousands of dogs had now died in the Northern Territory and more were dying daily. "I am sick of looking at dead dogs, tell people down south they have no idea what is coming." Ehrlichiosis is a disease spread by the common brown tick which was first discovered in northern Western Australia early last year. Diseased dogs or ticks have since been found in Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia. Dr Costello, from Outback and Airborne Veterinary Services currently based at the Barkly Veterinary Practice at Tennant Creek, said the re-opening of borders has seen the return of the grey nomads and other visitors for the dry season in the north. He has already been called on to treat their dogs for ehrlichiosis infections, and keeps seeing a 80 per cent mortality rate. "Little Fluffy in the back of the van is either going to die up here of be a carrier when they go back home." Dr Campbell Costello working in a makeshift surgery trying to save yet another dog from a highly lethal new disease. Dr Campbell Costello working in a makeshift surgery trying to save yet another dog from a highly lethal new disease. Dr Costello said he was appalled there were no biosecurity road blocks for people travelling north to advise them of the outbreak, and warn dog owners to get two kinds of tick protection. "It just shows you we were not ready for this, or for rabies or whatever else comes in," he said. "We are getting crucified up here, we are snowed under ... 80 per cent of the dogs that come in have it. "The official advice is that ehrlichiosis is well established but that's not right, it is endemic." Dr Costello said the disease had not only decimated dog populations in remote communities but was killing backyard pets in urban areas as well. "Cases are going to explode across Australia after this grey nomad season." He said the only defence to ehrlichiosis was two forms of tick protection, there are no vaccines. He said the chewable tablets people often believed provided adequate tick protection were not enough. Cloudy eyes as the disease takes hold. Cloudy eyes as the disease takes hold. "That takes five hours to remove a tick, it is only taking 30 minutes to an hour for a tick to pass it on." He said a repellent like a Pyrethrin collar was also needed. "If you think you can just run your hands over your dog and find the ticks you can't. "I have been a vet for 11 years and I still miss them." He was alarmed there was not a greater public biosecurity alert about the disease. "It has highlighted how underprepared we are when a new disease like this gets in."

my vets would describe his condition as perfect. The fatter the shorter the lifespan he says. my horses dad was massive, he had a heart attack at 20. his son lived to 29 in fit condition similar to your boy. even won an open race against 13 horses aged from 6 to 17 at 26, beat 14 at 27 by 1/4 mile margin. no kidding. The winning margin to 2nd place he finished so fast was the lap of that track, half a mile. the announcers comment, "Aeneas first, the rest? no where? second? Where is second?" the bay in front and the chestnut to the right were among the first five to finish. It was what they call an Ironwoman race.

finally found the FDA stat figures. if everyone had access to them then at least then you have the opportunity to make your decisions knowing these figures.

In a few other spots too. some panic and just keep trying to get out at the same spot

they are not waiting for complaints, they are inspecting everyone for "compliance" interestingly they have the right to "interpret" the Pocta. so despite the fact the height of boundary fences is not in the legislation they are now running the measure and if its under 6 foot your toast now. yet 12 months ago only the pens which in the legislation must be 6 feet. has been "re interpreted" as including any area where your dog exercises.

Any one heard of this man Malcolm Roberts. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1083536528374841/posts/4204293576299105/

your lucky, only 9 or 10 years our rahms is 36 and still acts like a yearling at times, vet had just finished trimming her feet, let her go and we get to watch her pronging around us for the next 10 minutes as she celebrates her new feet. He commented, "Ive never seen that much impulsion even at the start of an endurance ride?" (he vets at many rides has done for so decades) ok she isnt a dog, one very hot tomalie welsh mountain x arabian

so says those who have not yet learned differently the hard way and to speak up is to be told, "where there's smoke there's fire". so the vast majority smoked stay silent, the only other demographic sworn to such shame and silence is? the other quote from the Hon Richard Amery's reply was to the effect "you have nothing to fear from the rspca" well my dog disappeared for 13 days, I had to pay for all the tests they ran without my or his vets consent, that proved both their inspectors and their vets "opinion" were wrong, he was perfectly healthy at the time of seizure. Could not say the same for his return, he was immediately taken to his vet and diagnosed with torn trachea and pneumonia. You have lots to fear. but you talk about what happened and still all these years later I read another here have the hide to tell me, "where there's smoke there's fire" This news story was posted 3 hours ago. they plead for more powers to seize, yet remember my dog was taken in November 1999, and Richard Amery's Letter was written in January 2000, so the power to seize based on "formed the opinion" was already in place? They are very selective in deciding when too. don't want the Cretans to realise the power they already have and take fright, do they? Might slow down the acquisition of more https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-06-25/tas-rspca-calls-for-law-changes-to-give-it-more-power/100241966

They have the right to inspect, you can arrange an appointment time if your lucky, but the legislation empowers the rspca to enter if they "believe an animal may be in distress" even break into your home , there is an episode of their tv program when the inspector found a ladder and climbed into an open upstairs window to assure herself that "the dog in the house had access to water." That she could see through a lower window but could not see any water bowls through any windows. she found it utterly hilarious that the "dog" turned out to be a life-size statue. Pretty chilling, considering she never queried why the dog never responded to her calls, let alone what if it had been capable of tearing her apart being a stranger entering its owners home? A scenario that has hit headlines for other unfortunates killed who were {either waking by a property or there by invitation} attacked over the years. LOL , they have the right to "form the opinion" whats mind bending is the opinion being formed does not have to be correct or any knowledge of the subject to do so. Once they decide to "form the opinion" your pet's "best interests would be served by seizure and removal to their facility" (that's a direct quote from a letter from the Pollie in charge the Hon Richard Amery, of the dept of agriculture at the time of its writing in 2000, so they have had this massive power for over 20 years) they can take it and there is no avenue of appeal save through the courts which cost mega. Lots who have learned the hard way are keeping the medical profession busy treating those who have trouble coping with the resulting stress outcomes. There is now a task force to inspect, (the nsw rspca last year were given $250,000 to eliminate puppy farms, which they rebadged as a POCTA taskforce instead, so from late november 2020 been busy inspecting registered breeder's instead, (any member of the many Pet and Ankc registers) much easier to target than find any unregistered puppy farms) and you have to have every box of of POCTA inspection ticked. or I hear people have been issued $500 on the spot fines for every non tick. (that's a new one) in previous POCTA inspections you had two to four weeks to comply) one lady had to pay 1500. No two weeks to fix as in the past. read that link of Powerlegs very carefully, that's not a recommendation. you have to tick every point in it. as that's the blue print for the inspections. There is no such thing as a hobby breeder now. you either tick all those boxes which means you are a complaint puppy farm or your toast. Its never been about eliminating puppy farmers, its all about creating everyone as a complaint puppy farm. the end goal is the rspca want a yearly flat fee payment for the "rspca approved" sign on the gate and will keep up the pressure until it is achieved.

A Barking Chance Animal Rescue tSrSg14a fpSoJunmne astgeorre 0hrge6a:dt44s · Shaken vet reveals: This is what pets do minutes before they fall asleep Every pet owner has to deal with the idea that the beloved member of the family will most likely die before you. If you grew up with dogs or cats, you probably had to say goodbye several times. This farewell doesn't get any easier with time. Most pet owners find it particularly bad to have to put their animal friends down. Watching your four-legged friend die can make you sick. Nevertheless, pet owners should be strong in these moments - for the sake of animals. Unfortunately not all master and wifey have the courage and strength to stay with their animals until their last breath. They're not there to make the transition easier and prefer to leave the vet work all by themselves. Now a vet who wants to remain anonymous has decided to share his thoughts about this decision with the public. The vet's message: ′′ As a pet owner, it's usually inevitable for your pet to die in front of you. So if you need to take your pet to the vet to bring them a worthy pain free end, I want y'all to know something. You were THEIR TOTAL LIFE LONG at the heart of their world!!! Of your own life, they may have been just a small part, but to them you, their family, were all they knew. It's a crappy decision / day / time every time, it can't be denied, and it's upsetting for us humans to lose it. But please, I beg you, DON ' T LEAVE HER ALONE! Don't let them commit the transition from life to death in a room full of strangers, in a place they can't stand. What most of y'all don't know is they LOOKING FOR YOU IF YOU LEAVE THEM ALONE!!!! They search every face in the room for their loved ones. They don't understand why you left them behind when they were sick, scared, old or taken away by cancer and they needed your comfort. Don't be a coward because you think it's just too hard for YOU. Imagine how they feel when you leave them in their most sensitive time. People like me are every time trying to comfort them, ease their anxiety and try to explain to them why you just couldn't stay. From a tired vet with a broken heart." So true, I see my vets in tears so distressed because they have had to put someones pet down, its an incredibly stressful job. I see it as the choices we make when have them, its tough to remind yourself to remember the joy having them in your life gave you, when the day comes that you have to deal with the grief when you lose them. You make that choice again when you find another, there is a price to pay because their lifetime is less than yours regardless of the cause of their loss.

The problem lies with the people who did not realise they had any risks to weigh up and lose the plot when its their pet that is the unlucky one. The fact a percentage of vets do not give them that information at all , then what gets me is some tell the heartbroken owners that "its the breeders fault? Demand a refund or replacement." another reason to give up breeding, yet people need pets and somehow i don't think domestic dogs and cats or we who love them would be thrilled about PETA planning their extinction. Doubt it? it has its own thread in the news section. interestingly no one has bothered to make a comment, why? because even here the chant is to adopt not shop. with no realisation if all breeding is eliminated, surprise, surprise there went even be any for the rescues . As for the vets who think the only good pet is a desexed one, wonder where they think their clients will find a pet in the future? Let alone any clients , perhaps go back to uni and acquire Dr, to add to their BV.Sc A quick squizz of adoption offers isn't a promising list of breeds to be found. Suspect in future if you have a loved pet, keep saving up to have it cloned if you dont want to end up on a massive waiting list or cant even find a waiting list. Barbara Striesand did just that when she lost her favourite dog. Interesting future

They are working sled breeds, very independent and many are wonders at getting out, friends daughter in law races them and she doesn't even bother with fences, they are in roofed, concrete floored kennels. In Alaska they are on individual chain and kennel setups. they love to work and they love to have a job. They have been bred for sled work not family pets or herding so very different temperament compared to German shepherd, different as chalk to cheese. A cavalier is very interesting breed. devoted as a German shepherd and very trainable, but no initiative. Fascinating demo by a chap to show the difference in the herding breeds with initiative and the cavalier with little to none, with all three dogs CDX, a Kelpie, a German shepherd and a cavalier. Put a treat under a can and told all three it was ok to eat it. the Kelpie and the German shepherd hit the can so hard it was still in the air as they ate the treat. The Cavalier circled the can perplexed at how to access the treat. then he put all three at sit and stay. dropped a light tablecloth over each of the three and called come. both the Kelpie and the shepherd came at the run with cloth flying off them. the cavalier? turning in circles looking for the way out? any breed will develop injuries if allowed to jump at a young age, friends lab puppy she bred its owners let it jump off a veranda and it fractured both elbow joints. Looks like you have already decided The Kelpie, German Shepherd and the Cavalier have in common the strong desire to please you. As my friends daughter in law commented, her sled dogs desire is what can you do to please me? and being allowed to run in harness is their idea of heaven so they are happy doing what she loves too, flying along the trails. Actually, another breed that will lift that paw and eventually ask you, "Whats in this for me? is the Chihuahua. Very independent thinkers. notorious for being hard to house train, love dark places under furniture, (what u cant see you cant get upset over) especially when its raining. good luck, fortunate you are experienced

Found on fb "The WA Government has *fixed* the rspca debacle but are being a little bit tricky about it. In 2019 they took prosecution powers away from the rspca and now the Police do all animal cruelty prosecutions. The WA Government has never officially told the public they had stripped the rspca Inspectors of their powers, surely the public have a right to know the reasons why this radical decision was made? Now the rspca can only investigate, and prepare a brief, then the decision to prosecute or not is made by the Police. Consequently there have only been 5 or 6 genuine cruelty cases each year since 2019. So different to the hundreds of (vexatious and invented) cases Inspector Amanda Swift was pushing through the courts every year, prior to 2019. Swift has now been retrenched, she should have been prosecuted for malfeasance (abuse of power) but as usual the government, once caught out, just swept it all under the carpet and made the necessary changes to ensure the rspca would never have prosecutorial powers again. All without telling the public that one of the largest charities in Australia had stuffed up so badly that they were kicked out - there were no consequences for the rspca though, no charges were laid on the Inspectors who abused their powers for decades. Hundreds, maybe thousands of animal welfare cases were put through WA Courts prior to 2019, all of which were illegal! No attempt by the WA govt to examine and overturn those illegal prosecutions, nope, just forget about them, and move on. Nobody suffered any consequences for their illegal actions!" one state finally. how long before the other six stop the nightmare of abuses of power?

These images of them is on the net. appears to be golden smooth-coat with dark muzzle n golden smooth-coat without dark muzzle. certainly solid head . well equipped to the job done. Frankly looking at them you couldn't pay me enough to go near them. I know the saying is " blame the deed not the breed" . But whatever they are, those heads were build to tear anything to pieces. I've been bitten to the bone by three of a friends dogs when I had to crate them in an emergency to get her to hospital. but their deed ability to tear me to pieces was severely restricted by the fact they were chihuahuas who thought I was trying to steal them I think. the deed is greatly influenced by their ability to do damage too many forget.

So tragic, that poor, poor woman. Condolences to her family. three articles name a breed or breeds including the original link actually? But without photos it could be anything, n as accurate as the link below? one link included a video on how to avoid an attack which I thought would be helpful, so many people dont know the video supplied by the AVA. https://www.news.com.au/national/queensland/news/queensland-woman-mauled-to-death-by-dogs-in-maryborough/news-story/3cda4c313b1c7e01016d6f309052b524 as for the rest of the news below the video ?. well according to it they were loose on the street? so much for accurate reporting

Nearly choked om my breakie this morning. Our dear Prime Minister is appealing to the World Trade Organisation, to step up to the plate as an avenue of appeal when other nations cancel imports despite adhering to the rules in place for said goods being exported from Australia. No two guesses what nation is leaving millions in value goods stuck and causing millions in losses to Australia's export Industry. So why am I incredulous? well none of our politicians are willing to create let alone enforce an ombudsman as an avenue of appeal when the overzealous, answerable to no one to date, rspca inspectors take your pets. Its the courts only, by then of course the court costs will send the target bankrupt or have to sell whatever they have. But Scotty wants the WTO to step up to the plate as world ombudsman? I heard that a not so minor miracle has occurred in WA The WA government has stripped the rspca of their powers of prosecution and handed it back to the Public Prosecutor. Apparently nothing has been declared publicly . But the person who told me, said the prosecution cases have dropped from the hundreds per year to 5. Apparently it was triggered by the case of the stolen Borzoi, that the owner was vindicated, won her case and the magistrate ordered the dogs return. Except the rspca inspector involved loaded her on a plane and sent her to SA to be adopted. She was not charged with contempt of court, in fact the pollies pardoned her? The only good outcome is she has been stood down. BUT apparently it was the trigger to the status quo finally being returned to the Public Prosecutor in W.A. Now we only have every other state to hopefully fall into place and strip all the other rspca state bodies from using their own solicitors instead of the Public Prosecutors in their respective states. Which it had always been the case. I never understood why the Public Prosecutors or the Magistrates refuse to let them, when the change meant the people being prosecuted were then subject to blackmail, "plead guilty or we will destroy you financially." This subject was directly addressed by Leon Mills, a retired Public Prosecutor some 11 years ago. To so many's dismay his well written submission was ignored by the NSW Government? Why? Just what is the agenda of treating the rspca like a sacred cow? " 3rd June 2010 The Honorable Members General Purpose Standing Committee No.5 Inquiry into the R S P C A raid on the Waterways Wildlife Park Dear Members, My full name is Leon Andrew Mills and I have resided in Gunnedah since 1982, I moved to Gunnedah as a result of my applying for the Police Prosecutors position for the Gunnedah Local Court Circuit. I continued in that position until my retirement in 2006. In 2008 I stood in the Local Government elections and was successful in gaining office as a Gunnedah Shire Councillor. I am still in that position today. The two submission I would like the Honorable Committee to consider are that the compliance section of the RSPCA 9RSPCA Inspectors) be disbanded and that all the duties that they try to perform in relation to the investigation and brief preparation for alleged offences under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979 (the Act), be given to sworn Constables of the NSW Police Force in particular the Rural Crime Unit. My second submission is that all prosecutions under the Act be done by Police Prosecutors in the Local Court jurisdiction. RSPCA Inspectors obtain their powers s a result of being issued an Authority under .section 4D(2) of the Act. In relation to this Inquiry it is clear that Inspectors Prowse and French have no idea of their powers. I say that on this basis, the Act is clear in relation to what an inspector can do and is set out in Division 2 of the Act. On the Friday following the taking of the Koalas a report was broadcast on the 6.30am local A B C News that Officer Prowse said the reason for taking the Koalas was that they were “stressed”. There is no power under the Act to take an animal that is stressed. It alledging distress, as referred to in Section 24H subsection (5) of the Act, there is no evidence at all that any of these animals were suffering debility, exhaustion or significant physical injury. To support what I am submitting, the Honorable Committee would note that the Officers examined the Koalas at about 10.30-11am. They gave no treatment to these Koalas from that time until after 4.30pm, why? There was nothing wrong with them, and of course we are talking about Officers that would be expected to take immediate action if an animal was suffering debility, exhaustion or significant physical injury. These two Officers had to do something and they illegally removed these Koala for the sole purpose of the T V show R S P C A Animal Rescue. To further support this submission the head of the R S P C A Mr Steve Coleman said no proceedings would be taken against Nancy Small as a result of community outrage. I completely reject this statement. As a former Police Prosecutor of 28 years both in the city and country on rare occasions there is community outrage when some proceedings are taken. I have never before heard of proceedings for a criminal matter being abandoned or not brought because of community outrage. The reason there were no proceedings brought was that there was nothing wrong with these animals. Offences under the act are Criminal. Officers French and Prowse were supposed to be “investigating” this matter. It is interesting to note the quality of this so called investigation. No interview with Nancy Small or any other carers of these Koalas. No exhibits such as, stool samples, feed provided in the Koala enclosure, photos for identifications of each Koala, no tagging for identification. When one looks at the R S P C A Seizure Notice re this matter S N 010 16 the Officers have not even identified the Koalas to the extent of their sex. This so called investigation is absolutely pathetic and shows the quality of how RSPCA inspectors carry out their duties. The N S W police have a branch now called the Rural Crime Unit these branches operated both in the city and country. They are staffed by sworn Police who have been fully trained in investigation techniques. Many of these Officers are fully trained Detectives. It would be my respectful submission that these officers should take over the compliance section of the R S P C A. Of course it would require extra staff and resources. It would be my suggestion that appropriate funding could be transferred from the funding the State Government gives to the R S P C A to the Police Budget. Another benefit of a transfer to Police is that all Police investigations are subject to review by independent authorities such as the Ombudsman or I C A C. This is not the case with R S P C A inspectors, they answer to no one other than themselves. On the 18th of February last I attended the local branch meeting of the R S P C A as the head of the organization Mr Steve Coleman was attending. During the course of the meeting he answered a number of questions re the Waterways incident. Mrs. Dodd asked him a question being, “who can I complain to”, Mr Coleman’s response was “the Chief Inspector of the RS S P C A”. From a community point of view in this day and age it is totally unacceptable that we have an organization such as this that when a complaint comes in they investigate themselves. The subject Koalas were living in a happy well cared for environment when they were illegally removed by Inspectors French and Prowse. One of the females had a baby Koala in her pouch that Mrs Small was aware of. I have been told that the R S P C A Inspectors became aware of this fact over the 48 hours following their removal. One of the other Koalas was an elderly female that Mrs Small has described as the “Old Lady”. Mrs Small has never denied that this Koala was elderly and whilst ever in good health could live out her days in the Koala Enclosure. Both these Koalas that were supposed to being cared for by Inspectors French and Prowse are now dead so I ask this question what investigation has the RSPCA done in relation to the deaths of these Koala or am I correct in assuming that when an animal dies because of the ignorance or lack of care by that inspector no investigation takes place. This is another example as to why the Police should take over these responsibilities so that when this type of incident occurs it can be properly investigated or reviewed by an appropriate authority. I referred earlier in this document to the fact that prior to my retirement I was the police Prosecutor for the Gunnedah Court Circuit. During the 1980’s and 1990’s and in some cases still to this day besides representing Police informants in Court Police prosecutors represent many other entities, for example, Probation and Parole, National Parks and Wildlife, D O C S, Roads and Traffic Authority and the RSPCA. Over the years until about 2000, every so often I would receive a brief from an RSPCA Inspector who would be the informant usually in more than one information. If the matter was a “not guilty” plea I would present the case on behalf of the informant. If the offence or offences were proved some costs would be sought by the Informant that would usually be for witness expenses and any fodder that may have been required to give to the animals in question. No Legal professional costs were ever sought. In addition a fact I feel is relevant is that Police Prosecutors DPP Prosecutors and Crown Prosecutors have a duty to place all the evidence before the Court. Each carries a custodial penalty of 2 years imprisonment. True there is a difference in the monetary penalty but goal is the most severe penalty for a Criminal Offence. A common assault is one where the victim suffers no serious injury. For some reason the Parliament does not view aggravated cruelty as a serious offence at law. The RSPCA since about 2000, to my knowledge, have been engaging private solicitors to conduct their prosecutions and one might ask why did they move to this system. It is my submission that this practice should cease and that Police Prosecutors should conduct the prosecutions for the RSPCA. I say that on this basis. By engaging private Solicitors or barristers there is no obligation on them to place before the Court evidence that may disadvantage their case. Legal and Professional Costs come into play. If their prosecution is successful they would ask for these costs. It seems unbelievable that recently in one of their prosecutions at Narrabri an amount in excess of a quarter of a million dollars was sought for costs in a matter heard in the Local Court, and as I said before, an offence not serious at law. In conclusion it is my humble opinion that inspectors French and Prowse have no knowledge in respect to their obligations under the Act and it is clear they see their careers more in the field of TV and to add insult to injury when asked a question by myself about the TV show RSPCA Animal Rescue and their role in this incident when he attended Gunnedah on the 18th February last, Mr Coleman’s explanation was and I quote, “the Officers had been on another job with them and when they said they were going to Gunnedah the crew said we might just tag along” end quote. I informed him that I did not accept that explanation at all. It’s a sad situation when the head of such an organization is trying to assist the coverup. Yours faithfully Leon Mills Councilor Gunnedah Shire Council " Failing the decades of refusing the appointing of an appeals ombudsman at least the return to they must hand their brief over to the public prosecutor as was the case in the past. Far fairer outcome for those targeted by this organisation. So why did I choke? poor scotty wants justice, yet denied to thousands of pet owners by who? our pollies.