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THE RSPCA HAS BETRAYED ITS ROOTS
(Cutting Sunday Telegraph main letter by Yvonne Horth Colwell Northumberland 24/6/01)
Richard Meade is absolutely right in saying that the workings of the RSPCA should be looked into very carefully (Comment June 17).
For many years I used to visit every house in the villages of this area of Northumberland, carrying my little tin box and asking people if they would like to give something to the RSPCA. During the six or seven years only one person turned me away.
I was shocked when the RSPCA decided to stop these collections. It became clear that far from being really concerned about general animal welfare, the society was becoming more and more political.
Where was it during the worst of the foot and mouth outbreak? If any farmer up here had left new-born lambs to struggle and die in liquid mud, there would have been hell to pay - before the courts. But I didn't hear even a sniffle from the RSPCA. Did you?
As for hunting with dogs, the RSPCA's view would be a laugh if it wasn't so pathetic. No mention os stopping hare-coursing, because the politicians know that it is mostly Labour voters weho enjoy hat sport.
Ynfortunately, the RPSCA doesn't understand the importance of keeping country communities together. It has simply picked up on something which it sees as an interest that is enjoyed by only a few well-heeled bigwigs.
Doesn't it understand tha work other people who do the vets. the people who make and tend the harness and the shoes for the horses, the kennelmen who care for the thousands of hounds.
Perhaps even more important is that the RSPCA shold look at the transport of live animals to the continent. Thanks to Europe, most of our small slaughterhousers have been wiped out. No longer can a lorryload of sheep or cattle go just a few miles down the road. They may spend hours upon hours, crushed together in a moving vehicle. And at the end, a death which is probably far less kindly thatt one they would have received here.
Unfortunately, the public is only told the emotional bits, like a poor little fox being torn to bits. Yes I hate the idea too, but I also hate the idea of thousands of animals being transported in utter misery. Especially when our country is importing cheap meat to feed our armed forces, schools and hospitals.
The RSPCA should return to its roots and rise above blasted politics. Then, country people might again dig into their pockets to help animals.
But if I have got he feeling right, nobody who actually shares their life with animals has any respect left for the RSPCA./cutting ends
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