to think the RSPCA are losing it?

[SundaeGirl]

They've prosecuted a woman for feeding paracetamol to her cat after it broke its leg www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/9974603.I_can_t_believe_RSPCA_prosecuted_me_for_killing_my_cat/?ref=rl Poor woman, her and her sister rang them for advice and now she has a criminal record.

Misguidedly trying to help your pets surely, surely can't count as cruelty?

[midori1999]

She didn't need veterinary advice and could manage alone? her cat died because she gave it human medication. That's hardly 'managing alone' is it?

[mmxe]

My son and an ex girlfriend lived in a semi rural area with lots of feral cats with litter after litter of kittens which people fed.
One lovely cat who had obviously been a pet decided to deliver her kittens in their house.
They were happy to keep her but asked RSPCA for help with neutering ( their own cat was already neutered ) and rehoming for kittens.. no way.. they both worked so no help, they could put her out on street and then call RSPCA !!!!
no help for all the feral kittens which just died every year.
Rang cats protection league and they were great, offered to rehome kittens and neuter mum for free. If you have any probs with cats ring them not RSPCA.
No axe to grind have had cats and dogs from them, prob get refused now as we work, better for a dog to stay in kennels than in a home where people work

[Viperidae]

I am very wary of charities that run large adverts on tv, the cost must be immense and I'm sure it could be better spent. I never give to the RSPCA because on some channels it feels like an ad is on every 2 minutes.

[Thinkability]

Used to work for RSPCA. Won't give any money to them after what I experienced. The TV programme wasn't what I experienced at all. We didn't have the funds/staff to nurse a sick dog so put it down. On TV they make out they try everything.

[Scheherezade]

wild dog wardens are responsible for stray dogs. Or you call non emergency police. Like you just said the operator told you.

[mrsminerva]

SundaeGirl, I accidentally ran my cats tail over with my office chair, my ears still hurt from the yowl she let out. When can I expect the RSPC storm troopers to be breaking my door down?

[SundaeGirl]

I think the RSPCA need to define what they are. Because cat-owner prosecutors isn't what most people are expecting.

They do have some vile anti-vivisection activists quite high up, or so I have heard.

[RightsaidFreud]

The RSPCA are a total waste of time, and I worry about anyone who gives animals into their care. We've rang them several times about different animals we've been worried about, and they didn't offer any advice. They then have the cheek to ring us CONSTANTLY and ask for donations. Awful organisation.

[TinyDancingHoofer]

If she couldn't afford a vet, then she shouldn't have a cat. You don't take on the responsibility of a pet without thinking there may be unexpected vets fees.

Her cat had a broken leg, she knew this and could see it was in pain and effectively did nothing to help. Either she was being intentionally cruel or is lacking the mental capacity to provide adequate care.

I don't mind if the RSPCA prosecutes bad cat owners. She shouldn't be allowed to keep animals.

[Wheresmycaffeinedrip]

She failed to provide adequate care for her animal. That's neglect is it not? Any idiot knows not to give human drugs ( or any drugs) to a person or animal without a prescription. Doses r worked out according to weight strength and age u can't just guess!!! An animal died after she failed to seek proper medical attention that warrants an investigation at very least. If u can't afford to look after pets properly don't get them.

[Wheresmycaffeinedrip]

No but they would at least have the sense to make a phone call and see what could be done. Vets aren't all " oh bring them in I'll charge u the most money I can" . The organizations r there to help a d advice from a vet costs nothing except a phone call. That would have at least been e Pugh to advise against medicating herself.

[Wheresmycaffeinedrip]

Yes but the dosage and instructions r on packet and the counter person always checks who they r for and if they have taken it before.

[midori1999]

We used to get a lot of calls from people who could afford vets but resented paying for them

Exactly and for all we know, this could be the woman in the article. People like this are a fucking disgrace. The fact is, many people are fully prepared to 'wait and see' to save a few pounds, even if that means their animal is suffering. Many can't even be bothered to phone a vet. You can see this just by reading some of the threads in the Doghouse or on other pet/dog forums.

Telephone advice from a vet is free of charge. Anyone can ring a vet and say 'I think my cat might have a broken leg/it is limping' and th evet will advise whethr it needs to be seen or whether it can wait. If it does need to be seen as the animal is suffering, vets are legally bound to prevent that suffering, regardless of whether the client can pay.

[midori1999]

As for Millions of people give drugs without prescriptions everyday

Yes, but they don't suddenly decide to give themselves a dose of metacam or bute if they have a headache, do they?

[Wheresmycaffeinedrip]

Totally agree midori

If this was a baby in hospital everyone would think the woman was an idiot for giving a child an adult medication and just guessing the dosage. Guess cos it's a cat it doesn't matter :(

I've known since I was a kid never to give human medication to a pet. Common bloody sense and anyone who thinks its ok to reach for the nurofen if their cats a bit off is too stupid to own a pet :(

[YouMayLogOut]

YABU. Owners have a legal duty of care to their animals but this owner acted irresponsibly and harmfully. She could have contacted the PDSA but didn't.

The article states:

"The RSPCA has defended its decision to prosecute, saying the case was a warning to other people. Inspector Graham Hammond said: ?She had the use of the People?s Dispensary for Sick Animals which is a free service but chose not to use it."

[YouMayLogOut]

"They do have some vile anti-vivisection activists quite high up, or so I have heard."

Is this gossip or fact?

[MrsApplepants]

I came home one evening to find a very distressed duck with an obviously broken wing in my garden. Our garden is frequented by foxes so I managed to shepherd the duck into our shed where it would be safe for the night and called the RSPCA. I couldn't take it to a vet as it would have involved catching it and possibly making the injury worse. RSPCA came the next day, took the duck and gave me a bill a donation request for £42. I cannot afford to spend £42 on ducks that do not belong to me, even as an animal lover and was made to feel really guilty.

[Glitterknickaz]

I dunno.
They're rather useful if you want to harrass your neighbour.
Simply make repeated malicious calls so they have to keep attending.

It's a larf init.

(nb I've been on the receiving end, not the making calls end of this)