[Closed] All Claude needed was a haircut.

I think olddog summed it up fairly, but with that username, maybe he was just watching his back for the next time he needs a haircut.

The difference between narrative, agenda and opinion eludes you.

Excellent, we've move onto pedanticism 🙂

ernie_lynch - Member

They don't have anymore powers than any other individual.

They can prosecute, at least lot more easily than any individual can.

Well maybe I've missed something and they do have more powers that I'm not aware of. Any proof/links that show that the RSPCA have anymore powers than any other individual ?

I don't think there was any political relevance in this case per se but they certainly referenced the costs of litigation in fox hunting cases which was held up as being politically motivated. I'm guessing that the beeb were using this case as a segway into the broader activities of the RSPCA.

Hang on people, it's a charity - shouldn't you also be complaining that they pay wages to their staff and incur back office / administrative costs? That normally seems to vex people on here..

[i]'m guessing that the beeb were using this case as a segway into the broader activities of the RSPCA.[/i]

Such as?

Claude yesterday (The yesterday before he was dead...)

[img] [/img]

MoreCashThanDash - Member

I think olddog summed it up fairly, but with that username, maybe he was just watching his back for the next time he needs a haircut.

It's ok I'm definitely a short hair breed - although I am half Staffordshire so I'm more worried about being tasered by the police... I blame my owners

ernie_lynch - Member

Well maybe I've missed something and they do have more powers that I'm not aware of. Any proof/links that show that the RSPCA have anymore powers than any other individual ?

http://www.rspca.org.uk/whatwedo/prosecution/howwedecide

AFAIK individuals cannot prosecute, certainly not in this way.

AFAIK individuals cannot prosecute, certainly not in this way.

The power to prosecute

Everyone in England and Wales has the right to bring a private prosecution against someone who they believe has committed an offence.

Section 6(1) of the Prosecution of Offences Act 1985.

http://www.rspca.org.uk/whatwedo/prosecution

Al, anyone can bring a private prosecution to court. the RSPCA probably have more resources than most individuals but they don't have any extra regulatory powes to do so. In fact some groups (such as the country side alliance for instance) would like the RSPCA to stop bringing cases to court and act ( like the NSPCC and RSPB do) in a more "professional witness" role

Our approach to prosecution reflects the principles of The Code for Crown Prosecutors.

The Code is a public document issued by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) that sets out the general principles to be applied when making decisions about prosecutions.

Read the Code in full at: www.cps.gov.uk

A quick cursory glance at the code suggests that there are no references at all to the RSPCA and that it is a general code which applies to everyone, in other words the code that the RSPCA uses is the same as the one which applies to everyone else.

Fair enough - I'm schooled in Scots law, where it's tougher/different IIRC to do this.

(and for all practical purposes it's surely going to be more difficult for Joe Public to bring about a prosecution without a lawyer anyway).

There are other factors involved in the prosecution side of things, for example your average citizen does not have access to the police national computer, which the RSPCA do.