Issues

STATUTORY POWERS FOR THE RSPCA

RSPCA officers currently lack any statutory powers, meaning they are heavily dependent on support from the police and local authorities to carry out their work.

RSPCA officers currently lack any statutory powers, meaning they are heavily dependent on support from the police and local authorities to carry out their work. Crucially, they do not possess the same powers as local authority inspectors under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 (AWA).

This lack of authorisation means RSPCA officers cannot, for instance, enter buildings without a police warrant, take into possession and remove animals from situations negatively impacting their welfare, or issue statutory improvement notices.

This reliance on already-stretched public services not only places additional pressure on police and local authority resources but also leaves animals in need of rescue in precarious situations or suffering under cruel or sub-optimal conditions for longer.

Granting limited statutory powers to the RSPCA under the AWA would enable the organisation to operate as the public expects, while simultaneously helping to reduce the workload burden on the police and local authorities.

Our asks for Government

  1. We do wish to be able to issue statutory improvement notices

  2. We do want the power to be able to take animals into possession

  3. We do not want any power to enter private dwellings

  4. We do want to be able to access private land in an emergency

  5. We do not want the ability to apply for warrants

  6. We want all RSPCA officers to have such powers

Briefings