Newbie here

Hi there, I'm a newbie to dealing with the RSPCA

I've read that apparently we shouldn't discuss cases so I'm not sure how much I should say, but I haven't received a summons yet only a threat of prosecution but it may be wise to not say much incase it comes to something. It's such a shame that the hassle had to come at this time of year.

Hello Owner17 and welcome to the site.

Well, I would suggest that you should be discreet...ie do not mention the animal's name, area you live etc. I am assuming that the RSPCA have "seized" (this is the word they normally use to add a bit of excitement) the pet in question and you are waiting to hear whether or not you will be summonsed to court. No doubt they asked you if you were aware that you had not been arrested (this is a strange question as they do not have any more powers of arrest than you or I) and read you your rights. I assume you were "interviewed" (ie interrogated) under caution and they said you "might receive a caution". Their current CEO, Gavin Grant, is very much into prosecutions as he thinks this is an admirable way to get publicity (ie your name and HOME ADDRESS in the paper and "before and after" pictures of the stolen pet. Those who are taken in think what an amazing organisation is this RSPCA I'll send them a few quid and maybe leave them my house in my will). Even if taking someone to court costs them the earth (a loss of £300k taking the Heythrop to court very recently. Even the judge said one has to question their motives and the morality of wasting that much donated money; an obscene amount).
I will warn you from my own experience as I am not legally trained. But I have been on the wrong end of their system. My guess is that you will not receive a caution. Unless of course they have learned a lesson from the amount thrown away on the Heythrop and feel they may lose a case against you. There has been much adverse publicity since the Heythrop, and, unsurprisingly, their finances are not as healthy as once they were. Their money is down, their membership is down, they are laying off staff, so yes, people are getting wise to them and this may well be in your favour. They have shot themselves in the foot with their money-grabbing antics. You should bear in mind that from the day your animal was stolen they will be amassing a huge bill for his or her keep. They will pick the most expensive, greedy, grasping money-grabbing shyster local vet and encourage him/her to do as many unnecessary tests as possible and as often as possible. They will insist on putting shoes on a horse which is not being ridden and their farrier charges for two shoes what any other charges for four shoes. The same vet and farrier would not dream of charging their private customers these amounts, but the RSPCA is seen as a bottomless pocket.
Wait and see what you hear from them. How long ago did they steal your animal/s? If you do receive a summons, get going straight awat, contact the SHG, get some Legal Aid sorted out and if they do take you to court, be sure you have nothing in your name, no credit cards, nothing, they will take a charge on your house if they own one to get their money. So sign the house over to your son, to your parents, don't let them get anything.
PS Happy Christmas!!

The RSPCA have not stolen the animal yet, although they threatened to do so. They were fortunate enough to give me a date on which they planned to seize the animal, but I informed them that I would bring a civil case against them for trespass if they did return, and funnily enough they did not return. although I'm not 100% sure that I'm out of the woods yet though.

The thing they are threatening to prosecute me over is so trivial I'm surprised they would even bother. It's not like I've been beating or starving an animal, and the minor issue has already been remedied now, so it seem ridiculous they would harass me like this.

OK, so far so good, maybe what you said scared them. If they do return, you do not have to let them into your premises unless they are accompanied by the police and have a court order (as far as I know). Officially it is the police who have to "seize" your animal. They then hand it to the RSPCA. The fact that they came to something trivial is neither here nor there. If they see you as an easy target they will go for it. If this is a horse and out of your sight, obviously it is difficult for you as they will come at a time they know you are not around. If it is a small animal that you can get a friend to foster until the whole pantomime has blown over, so much the better. Did they issue with an "improvement notice" giving you x hours or days to see a vet or change your pet's accommodation? In that case they will not prosecute, but they will check with your vet that you have been in touch with them, or they will check that your dog/horse etc has shelter...etc, etc.
Don't believe them if they say "we will be back on Thursday 14th, etc." ... this is a trick favoured by them and the WHW. It means that is the one day you can be sure they will not show as you would be expecting them, and why would they do you the courtesy of warning you? WHW informed me he would ring me Wednesday with a view to arranging a time to meet me at the yard on the Thursday. This was because he had turned up uninvited at a bad time when (as he could see) I was without my car and had to catch two hours' public transport to get home and to a meeting. This was the trouble I went to to see my horse was visited every single day. Instead of phoning me on Wednesday and arranging to meet me Thursday, he turned up mob-handed on Wednesday evening with TWO WHW workers, a policeman, the bitch from the RSPCA and the greediest most money-grabbing vet in the area. They stole the mare, spent obscene amounts of money on her then handed her to WHW who killed her when the case was over six months later. She was not ill when they took her, blood tests were normal and worm count negative. She had served her purpose. WHW made NO attempt to rehabilitate or rehome her, despite the lies they told in their press release. We are lovely people...we care about this horse...we are taking good care of her...we will rehabilitate her at our rehoming centre...please send us your money and send some to the RSPCA too if you have some spare.

Welcome to the forum Owner17.
Sounds like you are in good hands with Trilby Bee.
Also, please have a look at the SHG site.

Owner17 wrote:The RSPCA have not stolen the animal yet, although they threatened to do so. They were fortunate enough to give me a date on which they planned to seize the animal, but I informed them that I would bring a civil case against them for trespass if they did return, and funnily enough they did not return. although I'm not 100% sure that I'm out of the woods yet though.

The thing they are threatening to prosecute me over is so trivial I'm surprised they would even bother. It's not like I've been beating or starving an animal, and the minor issue has already been remedied now, so it seem ridiculous they would harass me like this.

Can you move the animal in question to another premises for now?

Yes try to move the animal in question I warned RSPCA off premises but they came back 5 weeks later and took the lot. If possible try to speak to Nigel Weller SHG can give you his number he specialises in this kind of law (few have a clue), first consult is free and he works on legal aid - which you will not get until you get summonsed but there are other things you need to be doing NOW so call him or at least speak with SHG

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] I think it is!

Just meant to add...if they do come back, remember not to answer their questions unless you have a witness present. They will twist what you say to their own advantage. One example I can give you, RSPCA officer asked me, "Did you call the vet?" and I replied, "Why would I have done that?" On her statement, this was changed to "No, I did not call a vet. Why should I?" Subtle change, but totally alters the meaning. Her version was made to make me sound agressive and unco-operative. Be sure that you have a friend or family member who is clued in on the story and will vouch for what you say. Any questions you don't like, just say nothing... or say you don't understand the question and give yourself time to reply safely. If in doubt, be non-commital. And remeber you can terminate the "interview" (ie interrogation) at any time if they start to give you too much stick. When my friend told her cousin (a retired Magistrate) that the RSPCA had stolen my horse her comment was, "Be careful, be very careful". I have no hesitation in passing this advice onto you.

Hi I would go further and suggest you dont answer ANY of their questions - in fact refuse to be interviewed. They will then get a warrant to arrest you for the interview - if carried out this will be an assault and false imprisonment and you should say as much to the police. Then still refuse to answer any of their questions, as Trilby says they will twist absolutely everything you say and their questions are very general such as 'do you think this was enough?' in relation to food, answer 'no, I would have preferred to feed them twice a day' Taken in court to mean not enough food given, actual meaning was same amount of food to be given but split over 2 meals as digestion is better. I have refused interview at their last attempt- 'watch this space!' It seems I am also the only person ever to prosecute the RSPCA on Animal Welfare - they are facing 7 charges of Section 9 and 3 of causing unnecessary suffering. Should be a fun time!

Keep us posted but please pleasew move your animals and do as Trilby and other say - destroy all access to funds - they will try to take anything and everything! But if there is nothing to take it all falls into their funding bucket and the more they waste the more likely people are to see through them.

hi me to are going to prosicute the scum as they left my 16.2hh in alot of pain plus one now windsucks and trust me he isnt a cheap horse to buy so not very happy going to see what i can take off them instead of them taking off me

Not personally had any PM's from this person...did anyone hear anything...do we know what the outcome of the affair was?