Public complaints !!!!!

[pappuller]

The wifes had a visit from an RSPCA officer this morning (Sunday !!) to say a complaint had been made re 20 last tack sheep tidying up a couple of paddocks across the road from the farm one lying down looking like it might die. Her response was that is what sheep do sometimes, the guy who owns the sheep is v good and checks them every day or two, this isn't the first visit from the powers that be this winter we have also had the foot path officer after someone complained they had a bolt from the leccy fence across the stile. It turns out that fido couldnt get under the stile and the owner had lifted the wire which was correct in its positioning and signed.my point is that both these incidents were reported anonymously so we don't know who they are but probably speak to both people on a regular basis as we maintain good relations with as many of the the locals as we can. Would these people get involved if someone was getting mugged on the high street ?
Our town is growing rapidly and this problem is only going to get worse. Other peoples thoughts and experiences please.

 

[Steevo]

It wouldn't surprise me if some of these dog owners whose animals have killed the 15,000 sheep called the RSPCA to alert them....

 

[Dry Rot]

It now seems normal to find yourself in trouble due to some anonymous complaint and then not even be told what you are meant to have done wrong!

Sorry to keep harping on about the same thing but that won't change unless we stand up to the abuse of power. In my case, when my guns were seized, I wasn't told what I was meant to have done wrong (so couldn't defend myself) for TEN months. I have never been told officially who made the complaint because their anonymity is ensured by the data protection! Because the police seem beyond criticism, the one accused incurs serious expense just trying to find out what the hell is going on!

I am an avid watcher of the TV series "The World at War" and the Nazi's rise to power keeps ringing bells. I wonder why that is?

 

[borderterribles]

It used to be the case that if reported allegations to the RSPCA were deemed to be unfounded, then the person who had had the allegations made against them had a right to know who had made them. Is that no longer the case then?

 

[multi power]

Why anybody would take any notice of the RSPCA is beyond me

 

[Fleeced]

So was the sheep dying or just kipping? Leaving them to die slowly in a field that is easily viewed by the public is highly likely to result in a visit, and probably fair enough. Same with leaving dead ones for too long. Someone will report them. You have to be careful that your agreement states that the shepherd is responsible for the welfare of the animals and the land owner has no liability. And if you do get involved in their keep at all you can be taking on that liability. It can be a bit of a minefield yet so many people don't bother with a formal agreement.

 

[pappuller]

So was the sheep dying or just kipping? Leaving them to die slowly in a field that is easily viewed by the public is highly likely to result in a visit, and probably fair enough. Same with leaving dead ones for too long. Someone will report them. You have to be careful that your agreement states that the shepherd is responsible for the welfare of the animals and the land owner has no liability. And if you do get involved in their keep at all you can be taking on that liability. It can be a bit of a minefield yet so many people don't bother with a formal agreement.

He has moved all the sheep this morning and yes he has all liability but when the complaint is at my door it is me that is the one who has to deal with the authorities and the sheep seems fine, and no we dont leave animals to suffer I am anal about removing deadstock asap

 

[Fleeced]

No sorry wasn't suggesting you do, but we got involved once when sheep on our land were in a state and never again! Now we only let grazing to folk we know.

 

[pappuller]

Why anybody would take any notice of the RSPCA is beyond me

Quite agree but for joe public they would rather ring the rspca anonymously than just casually mention an animal looks a little off colour thats what pees me off the most and of course like it or not the rspca can make things awkward if they feel like it

 

[pappuller]

No sorry wasn't suggesting you do, but we got involved once when sheep on our land were in a state and never again! Now we only let grazing to folk we know.

No offence taken, the sheep man is very good, we got landed with 150 ewes we had to lamb in f & m year due movement restrictions. Hopefully this year we will zero graze any late season grass for the cows and wont have any sheep.

 

[Al R]

It wouldn't surprise me if some of these dog owners whose animals have killed the 15,000 sheep called the RSPCA to alert them....

I witnessed 3 red spaniels tearing a store lamb apart yesterday off the road. Fortunately i knew the owner and phoned him to tell him. He's spoken to the owner of the dogs as he was there with them but I don't know anything since?

The whole job stinks!

 

[Qman]

A pal of mine had a lamb which he'd treated for CODD in a field next to a housing estate. Someone told the RSPCA that it had got a broken leg and Trading Standards came out and realised that all was OK.

I told my pal to put up a large sign with MILLER HOMES COMING HERE SOON up. That would get the nosey buggers going!

 

[Boysground]

They haven't phoned the rspca here yet. Just the EA for a couple of years. You can guess how much fun that is.

Bg

 

[Dry Rot]

It used to be the case that if reported allegations to the RSPCA were deemed to be unfounded, then the person who had had the allegations made against them had a right to know who had made them. Is that no longer the case then?

I don't know whether it is usual but the SSPCA (Scotland) gave me a copy of a complaint against me so I could hand it to my solicitor as it was so obviously wrong. That was about 15 years ago. The inspector was duly impressed with my Lleyn ewes rearing multiples because he came from a farming family. We got on like a house on fire. I think the SSPCA are a bit more practical than the RSPCA as they don't have the same funds.

These days I think you would have a right to know what a public authority has on file about you under Freedom of Information legislation. That's in case they've recorded incorrect information. But is the RSPCA a public authority?

https://www.gov.uk/make-a-freedom-of-information-request/the-freedom-of-information-act

 

[Rob Holmes]

A pal of mine had a lamb which he'd treated for CODD in a field next to a housing estate. Someone told the RSPCA that it had got a broken leg and Trading Standards came out and realised that all was OK.

I told my pal to put up a large sign with MILLER HOMES COMING HERE SOON up. That would get the nosey buggers going!

Probably going to happen anyway!

 

[unlacedgecko]

I don't know whether it is usual but the SSPCA (Scotland) gave me a copy of a complaint against me so I could hand it to my solicitor as it was so obviously wrong. That was about 15 years ago. The inspector was duly impressed with my Lleyn ewes rearing multiples because he came from a farming family. We got on like a house on fire. I think the SSPCA are a bit more practical than the RSPCA as they don't have the same funds.

These days I think you would have a right to know what a public authority has on file about you under Freedom of Information legislation. That's in case they've recorded incorrect information. But is the RSPCA a public authority?

https://www.gov.uk/make-a-freedom-of-information-request/the-freedom-of-information-act

No their not. The RSPCA are a private profit making corporation disguised as a charity. They have no legal powers and no statutory oversight.

 

[Woolless]

I don't know whether it is usual but the SSPCA (Scotland) gave me a copy of a complaint against me so I could hand it to my solicitor as it was so obviously wrong. That was about 15 years ago. The inspector was duly impressed with my Lleyn ewes rearing multiples because he came from a farming family. We got on like a house on fire. I think the SSPCA are a bit more practical than the RSPCA as they don't have the same funds.

These days I think you would have a right to know what a public authority has on file about you under Freedom of Information legislation. That's in case they've recorded incorrect information. But is the RSPCA a public authority?

https://www.gov.uk/make-a-freedom-of-information-request/the-freedom-of-information-act

Plus one for your observation on the SSPCA vs RSPCA. They seem genuinely concerned with animal welfare rather than campaigning and politics.

 

[milkloss]

Just an observation that isn't really relevant to the op but how many leave a phone number pinned to the gate so a concerned person can ring the owner? If you don't understand stock or know who owns them, who else are you going to call but the rspca?

 

[pappuller]

No their not. The RSPCA are a private profit making corporation disguised as a charity. They have no legal powers and no statutory oversight.

Can they not bring a prosecution ? Didn't know that

 

[pappuller]

Just an observation that isn't really relevant to the op but how many leave a phone number pinned to the gate so a concerned person can ring the owner? If you don't understand stock or know who owns them, who else are you going to call but the rspca?

We have a sign on the farm gate with no on asking people to ring before entering, no one ever does