Cruelty to animals, how to change the system?

pets@home · 26-05-2011, 08:19

Following a increase in the amount of dogs being reported to me as being mistreated , even though i cant do anything about it as a individual , I was wondering if other rescues were experiancing the same seinario? If you are is it about time we joined forces to try and get something done ( is there anything we can do ?) what about a meeting for a chat to discuss the situation ? . could i please have your constructive views on this matter, thank you something has to be done !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Rainrescue · 26-05-2011, 10:00

I'm always open for anything - but maybe we could ask the rspca inspectors if we could go down and talk to them and understand what the procedures are for reporting and what they can actually get to do with these cases.

The sheffield RSPCA inspectors are experienced and will have a lot to do - the more we can all work together the better - good idea p@h

hodgepig66 · 26-05-2011, 10:08

Count me in defo,i know i'm not a rescue but work and deal with animals,help look for missing dogs etc,and after the recent episode would like to gain more knowledge.....
There is no excuse in my book for any sort of cruelty..........
The worse kind those that keep doing it and getting away with it,wrong,wrong,wrong....

pets@home · 26-05-2011, 19:01

was hoping for a few more replies ?

Moonbird · 26-05-2011, 19:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by pets@home

was hoping for a few more replies ?

There aren't that many rescues that use the group really p@h, or do you want replies from ordinary users of the group?

medusa · 26-05-2011, 19:13

We've got at least 5 dogs waiting for every place we have, and the number of people reporting dogs as mistreated is worrying to say the least, but our ability to do much about it is very limited because we have no power of seizure.

The law on prosecuting animal cruelty also stinks. In order to prosecute the animal has to stay in kennels for the whole of the process of prosecution, which can take 18 months or longer. I don't understand why the animal can't go for adoption as long as it is known for certain where the animal is, because to me that's cruelty in itself. It's not in the interests of the animal to keep them in kennels for what may turn out to be the whole of the rest of its life.

Either way round, we don't have the resources to pursue taking people to court or getting the police involved like the RSPCA do, so it's just down to us to try to address it in a human way if possible. We do pretty well at getting people to voluntarily give animals up to us, once we can get in through the door.

pets@home · 26-05-2011, 19:16

any constructive ideas from anyone,i know i did state in title "other rescue`s".what im trying to do is form a group to look for ways to improve the system thats in place at moment re dogs, stray or abused, hope this makes sense

Moonbird · 26-05-2011, 19:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by pets@home

any constructive ideas from anyone,i know i did state in title "other rescue`s".what im trying to do is form a group to look for ways to improve the system thats in place at moment re dogs, stray or abused, hope this makes sense

It does make sense, things definitely need to improve thats for sure.
I changed the title a little hope thats ok? see if that gets you more answers

lilypiglet · 26-05-2011, 19:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by pets@home

any constructive ideas from anyone,i know i did state in title "other rescue`s".what im trying to do is form a group to look for ways to improve the system thats in place at moment re dogs, stray or abused, hope this makes sense

I believe most of the SF Pet Owners regular posters have an opinion on this, which to me says I reckon we could cobble together a pretty good/informed group, one as which we probably could do something positive. I know you were asking for possible participation from R.S.P.C.A representatives, but I'm sure they would be pretty much bound by regulations lready in force (which are lacking)
Personally, I feel that the only way forward is to make proposals for reform (in Dog Cruelty Punishment/Legislation) directly to a local M.P to raise as an issue in Parliament, our M.P's are there for us to use as a voice for our opinions and a gateway to changes!
I'm sure if we could group enough people together, with all experiences of rescue, adoption, crulety etc, then maybe something could be done.

jan2665 · 26-05-2011, 19:53

I'm not involved in rescue just an every day animal lover but if there is any thing i could do to help i'd bbe happy to.

lilypiglet · 26-05-2011, 20:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by jan2665

I'm not involved in rescue just an every day animal lover but if there is any thing i could do to help i'd bbe happy to.

That's great, more like minded people, I'm an animal lover too, and my dogs are rescue dogs. I just get more and more angry about the lack of legislation/regulation/punishment for animal cruelty, it's time to use our M.P's to help voice our opinions. If you don't ask, you don't get....

Gluggy · 26-05-2011, 20:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by lilypiglet

That's great, more like minded people, I'm an animal lover too, and my dogs are rescue dogs. I just get more and more angry about the lack of legislation/regulation/punishment for animal cruelty, it's time to use our M.P's to help voice our opinions. If you don't ask, you don't get....

And that i dare say is the biggest problem - the current laws just don't seem to work or act as enough of a deterrent to stop people in the 1st place and until they do things are likely to get worse not better.

Sadly other than trying to get the law changed i think all us average Joe's can do is give our own animals the best possible life, help others do the same as not all cruelty is intentional and give as much support as we can to the rescue centres so that can carry on in their vital work.

lilypiglet · 26-05-2011, 20:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gluggy

And that i dare say is the biggest problem - the current laws just don't seem to work or act as enough of a deterrent to stop people in the 1st place and until they do things are likely to get worse not better.

Sadly other than trying to get the law changed i think all us average Joe's can do is give our own animals the best possible life, help others do the same as not all cruelty is intentional and give as much support as we can to the rescue centres so that can carry on in their vital work.

I totally agree, and that's what I'm saying...laws have to be changed, which can only happen if we can have it adressed in Parliament, that's why we have to badger the M.P's to raise the issues, the Government can instill changes in the law...

Rainrescue · 26-05-2011, 21:22

Exactly - changes can only come from the top - no matter what we do at the bottom - but the more people knock on the door, the more those behind the door will listen.

I'm always up to help make improvements and changes to count me in if you sort something

pets@home · 26-05-2011, 22:18

Im glad i started this thread as it has already stirred up interest and sugestions, i would like to thank you for your replies it shows that like me there are people who arnt prepared to turn their backs on animals or turn away from something because they dont feel they can do anything. If all they could do was to take notes and record comments then that alone is helping (supporting),if the only thing you could do to help is make phone calls or search on internet for infomation it all helps & it takes pressure off those that can be a little more active in seing changes, i think the first thing to do is arrange a get together and sort out who can do what & so on . please let me know what you think & i will arrange a venue for us to get together.the animals need a voice let it be ours !

smudge74 · 26-05-2011, 22:23

Let me know if i can help p@h

Rainrescue · 26-05-2011, 22:26

I still think it would be a good idea if you got the RSPCA inspectors involved to find out exactly what can be done. Sometimes just arranging a venue and a meeting, everyone will have a moan about their experiences, which can be horrendously time consuming and not that productive.

I may be wrong, i would just like to know what actually is the right or wrong way to go about it.

maryjane · 26-05-2011, 22:28

I will help too anyway I can, what incenses me is how people can just pass dogs on without any thought for their feelings as though they havnt any, I know some folk have good reasons but "a dog is for

terminator · 26-05-2011, 22:56

Maybe ALAW would help out.

Snagglepuss · 26-05-2011, 23:13

I agree with a couple of the previous posts, changes in the law have to be made and lobbying MP's and the government could possibly be one of the places to start so that ALL animals suffering can eventually be safeguarded. I feel at the moment the government doesn't care enough about animal suffering, and the RSPCA take too long in addressing any reported situation.