The RSPCA, is it in danger of being kind to animals but cruel to humans in its treatment of animal welfare? Inside Out's Glenn Campbell investigates.In August 2008 I started to hear stories that innocent farmers and pet owners were being wrongly accused and charged with animal cruelty.
(Above) ROGER GALE MP, CRITICAL OF THE RSPCA
But is the RSPCA's reputation being jeopardised ? After three months of research looking at how the charity investigates and then presses ahead with its private prosecutions, I think there is need for concern.
Unlike the Scottish Society For the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, which investigates and then puts a case forward to the equivalent of the Crown Prosecution Service for consideration, the RSPCA does both of these tasks in-house.
It investigates and then its own team of lawyers decide who to prosecute and who to let off with a warning.
If you are ever unlucky enough to find yourself on the receiving end of an RSPCA summons accusing you of animal cruelty, then beware, you could lose a lot.
You could find yourself banned from keeping any animal for life.
You could face a six month prison sentence and you could get a £5,000 fine.
All this could happen in a magistrates court under a private prosecution bought against you by the RSPCA.
I know because I've spoken to the people who've found themselves in this position... the beef farmer from Kent, the kennel assistant from Portsmouth and the pensioner from Petworth in Sussex.
Human impact
My investigation looks at how these people found themselves facing a private prosecution by the RSPCA.
Prosecuted for animal cruelty - found not guilty.
They face the very real prospect of financial ruin and having their reputations destroyed.
All of them were actually found not guilty of animal cruelty charges in the end.
But I'll let you decide for yourselves whether I've managed to present a case worthy of inclusion in 'Rough Justice'.
Video - RSPCA >
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