Opinions please ...

WeAreGhosts

I just witnessed a man smack a dog in the stomach/rib area because it got out of the garden and started harassing another dog and its owner.

The dog is a small terrier-type and the smack was so hard that the dog's feet left the floor.

I know the dog is regularly shouted at by its owner , but this is the first time I've witnessed it being smacked.

What would you do? If anything ...

Froglet

Video it if possible and take it to the RSPCA.And before everyone says " oh but they won't do anything" ,who else can he/she turn to ? There is no other charity with the power to change or prevent this bullies ' behaviour.

Paradigm

Froglet wrote: »

Video it if possible and take it to the RSPCA.And before everyone says " oh but they won't do anything" ,who else can he/she turn to ? There is no other charity with the power to change or prevent this bullies ' behaviour.

Sadly RSPCA inspectors have no more power than you or I!


Should they call the Police to attend an incident they might get a better response than we would but that's about it.

Froglet

Surely with video proof they would have the power to seize the animal and take it to a vet to prove abuse.Even if he doesn't hit it again,the shouting at it all the time will make this poor little dog a nervous wreck.Makes me so angry,.why do people have pets if that's how they are going to treat them.

Did you see the dog rescuers last night? I cried along with the inspector at that poor German Shepherd.What a dreadful thing to do,yet it's owner didn't even get a jail sentence and get banned for life from keeping animals.

Paradigm

Froglet wrote: »

Surely with video proof they would have the power to seize the animal and take it to a vet to prove abuse.Even if he doesn't hit it again,the shouting at it all the time will make this poor little dog a nervous wreck.Makes me so angry,.why do people have pets if that's how they are going to treat them.

Did you see the dog rescuers last night? I cried along with the inspector at that poor German Shepherd.What a dreadful thing to do,yet it's owner didn't even get a jail sentence and get banned for life from keeping animals.

Sorry but no! They don't have the power to enter your home, let alone seize your pet. They are not an enforcement agency, despite the uniforms they wear, they have no more power than you or I, they are a charity. The only time they can act is if accompanied by a Police officer who instructs them to do so.


The rest of your post I totally agree with, animal cruelty is something that should be dealt with harshly with offenders facing possible prison time... there is no excuse!

sheramber

The RSPCA cannot remove an animal with police authority but they can visit and talk to the owner and they can prosecute an owner.

You can all them and report it. They may or may not act without proof or another wtness.

WeAreGhosts

Thanks all. I can't watch Dog Rescuers - breaks my heart too much

I will contact RSPCA. I have written an anonymous letter to the owner, telling them that I saw what they did and how disgusting it was etc ... Hoping that they might have a conscience ... haven't posted it yet. Should I?

I will try and video anything else that happens ...

Froglet

If it happened in the street with other people around then he won't know it has come from you and you could use the threat of the RSPCA.Anything is worth a try to prevent the poor little dog from further abuse and probable neglect.

Does the man live on his own,and does it get taken out ?Does it look well fed ? All are points you could raise if you do contact the RSPCA.

Paradigm

sheramber wrote: »

The RSPCA cannot remove an animal with police authority but they can visit and talk to the owner and they can prosecute an owner.

Yes they can visit & attempt to talk but the owner is under no obligation to answer any of their questions.
When it comes to prosecuting an owner, it's a private one... any of us can take out a private prosecution but only the enforcement agencies (Police, Customs etc) can bring real criminal charges.
The powers of the RSPCA are exactly the same as the rest of the general public, after all that's what they are.... civilians (general public) who work for a charity!


Having said all that it would do no harm in reporting it to the RSPCA as most people overestimate just what they can do, it might just scare him enough to rethink his ways.


This explains the RSPCA exactly... http://www.doglistener.co.uk/rspca-and-your-rights-refuse-them-access