Can Anyone Recommend A Good Solictor To Counter The Rspca

[Terriann]

Hello

If your friends pet had been poisoned, even if it is not by her, then they are not in a safe environment! I think you should go to your vet and ask your vet to write some kind of letter or a health certificate to the rspca to show that your cat is in good health. I would keep copies, send it special/recorded delivery and maybe invite a member of the rspca around to inspect the cat at a time that is convenient for both, sit down and have a chat. Generally the RSPCA are only trying to protect animals, they are a lot of hassle to rehome and cost a lot of money to keep while they are looking for a new home.

I would have refused entrance to the RSPCA if it was me, I would tell him it was rude to turn up on someones doorstep and expect to be let in especially when accusing them of harming their beloved pets, I would tell him to call and make an appointment. Not to mention that being female, there is no way I am going to let a strange man in my house (my boyfriend only just gets through the door lol).

I would speak to your vets and see if they can advise you of a solicitor (if you need one).

And like the others said, keep records of everything, even on the visit, write notes and send them to the inspector so he can see that it has been documented.

I hope the cat ends up no matter what the situation, that is after all what this is all about, not your neighbour, not the law, its about the wellfare of the pet.

 

[simonas]

I'm a criminal solicitor and oddly enough defended two RSPCA prosecutions yesterday although thankfully we don't get many but both my clients got legal aid so I'd recommend your friend rings the court she's summonsed too and asks who the biggest or busiest firm is who operate there. That should be an indicator of who is the best cos criminals aren't that daft!!! She then needs to see them asap to apply for legal aid, however if she earns over 16k she may struggle to get it

good luck to her

 

[wodesorel]

Having worked in animal rescue, it doesn't sound like your friend has anything to worry about as long as she can back up the health and nutrition claims with a veternarian then they really don't have a case with her.

The health department recommendations scare me because they usually don't get involved until the situation becomes harmful to humans. Is it possible that the breeding is out of control and she's not able to keep up with that many cats? Anything over 15 cats being taken care of by one person is almost impossible to actually keep up with on a daily basis. Even with 2 people 25 cats can be extremely overwhelming. If she's breeding then she has unfixed males and females, which means lots of spraying and urinating around the house, and that can be impossible to clean up with just a few cats. That is a red flag for any health dept. official or humane officer.

It does look bad that she didn't let them in the house. Granted, I would have been nervous, too, letting a strange man into my home if I was alone. But I would explain that and would tell him that I was going to call the police for an "escort" for safety, just in case, and that I would let him in as soon as the officer arrived. By not complying with the request it just makes it look like she's trying to hide something. Of couse they wouldn't call to schedule an appointment first - if you give someone who breaks the law a warning, they'll clean up the evidence. The best way to catch abusers is by surprise.

As for the poisoning, that is going to be impossibe. Unless someone saw who did it, forget it. When I was very young, my aunt had 21 cats poisoned in the span of one week - a neighbor who liked to put out poisoned food for birds also did the same with cat food. They knew who did it, other people who lived in the area knew it, the police genuinly suspected him, but without proof nothing could be done. She lost 5 more cats to that man two years later as well. Even recent calls I had taken about poisoning never panned out because you have to catch a poisoner red-handed for domestic animals.

If she wants to press charges, I guess she could, but the RSCPA is just doing their job. I know how upsetting it can be to be accused of harming an animal - the first time my Merlin got hurt the vet was asking all these questing thinking I burned him purposely. In the end I calmed down becuase I realized he was required to ask those questions, and I also knew he didn't think for a second I was capable of doing it. Four years later and I still trust that vet with all my cat's lives, and he's saved one from the brink of death.

The best thing to do is to comply with the request without getting upset. The more upset and nasty you get with them, the more likely it is they'll go out of their way to make sure they prosecute to the fullest extent that they can.

 

[VampirePlec]

I dont believe that it would be the RSPCA poisoning the cats, at worst they would take them away. and also even if it was i would suggest another way rather than trying to get money out of them, as they are having enough troubles atm feeding the animals that were abandoned after Christmas. my sympathy's go out to your friend as this is a horrible situation for anyone, and to think of what the poor cats had to go through. it does sound like an annoyed neighbor, and i hope they get whats coming to them.

 

[smithrc]

original post is 10 months old - I guess this will have gone one way or the other by now...

 

[wodesorel]

original post is 10 months old - I guess this will have gone one way or the other by now...

Oh duh.......