Pets are being Mistreated in Rented House

LippyDoodle

GDB2222 said:

LippyDoodle said:

gozaimasu said:

Your uncle is being impatient regarding the action. The dogs barking must be really annoying. Maybe the tenants have died and will never return. As mentioned previously, the RSPCA will have given the tenants a timeframe in which to make improvements, and if they aren't made, then the animals will be seized. They would have to get the police present if the property was still empty and the tenants were missing, or in this case I suppose they would be able to get the landlord to allow access since they're aware of the situaton.

LippyDoodle said:

Ask another animal organisation what the RSPCA should be doing. You could send a private message to the RSPCA on fb if you use it. See what they say. I don't understand why they haven't taken any further action if they have been and assessed the situation and deemed unacceptable, but I'm not a big fan of them to be honest. 

Why aren't you a big fan of the RSPCA?

From personal experience when reporting animal cruelty or when wild life needs help. Having a stray cat come through the kitchen window who didn't want to leave. It was Friday evening, everywhere was near closing, after calling every cat organisation I finally called the RSPCA. I told them the cat was covered in ticks, had a lot of cuts from what looked like fights, was very hungry. I had no transport so couldn't get him to a vets to check to see if chiped. That said I couldn't get him in a pet carrier because he was so scared that one minuet he was rubbing his head around my legs next minuet hissing and spitting. I told them that I was putting a blanket on the floor for him to lay on when he came in between me and the blanket, panicked, lashed out at me, stuck all 5 claws in my hand then jumped on the work top with me still attached. As I started to unhook his claws from my hand he then bite me. I was then told that I didnt want a cat like that in my house, just open the door and let him out. I said he won't go. I was then told to get a brush and push him out. I was gobsmacked. 

They don't keep a record of lost and found cats, not even for those they have rehomed. Their reason, because you never know if the cat is lost or a stray. 

Inspector came to my house to collect an injured Sparrow Hawk. She said it's rare to get one of these but we do like to go that extra mile when something special is in need. 

I think that they gave you the right advice about the cat, as you were in danger of further injury. Plus, you had no idea what diseases it had. 

what you really needed was someone with full protective gear to come round within a couple of minutes, before you got hurt again. As they probably didn’t have an inspector just round the corner from you, I’m not surprised that they didn’t want to take responsibility. 

what do you think they ought to have told you?

My concern was for the cat. It was ovbious he was either lost or abandoned. I like many others can't leave animals in need in the hope they wonder off and find someone else who can help them. My gripe with the RSPCA is they don't come to check on a cat unless it's injured. This cat could have been one they had rehomed. Just to come and scan the cat would have been something. 

Gaulet gloves would have been good and a good knowledge of cat behaviour was all that was needed. He just didn't trust people. No idea where he'd who or how he'd come across as there are many who dislike cats. 

I thought he was here to stay. Almost 4 hours later he went out through the window when I put the microwave on. Could tell in his eyes that really spooked him. Never seen him since 

LippyDoodle

Skiddaw1 said:

They don't have a terribly good reputation amongst the cat rescue fraternity on rehoming as opposed to euthanasia (though I do recognise they do some stirling work). If you're ever in that position again @LippyDoodle try calling a local cat/animal rescue organisation if you have one, or Cat's Protection.

Back to the OP, like @youth_leader I just feel desperately sad for the poor animals (as the OP's uncle clearly does). Whilst many cats are indeed perfectly content as indoor cats, judging by the conditions the dogs are being held in I'd be willing to bet the cats aren't being cared for properly. I really hope something is sorted out soon.

@Skiddaw1
Thanks, but I tried every organation I knew before contacting the RSPCA. I did so reluctently for the reasons you have mentioned. They wouldn't have seen the cat as a quick rehoming prospect. 

Skiddaw1

@LippyDoodle , at least you tried. Poor cat. I hate to hear a stray cat story. Dear little souls.

LippyDoodle

@Skiddaw1 me too along with any other stray/lost/abandoned/cruelty etc. They don't ask for much. Just love, kindness a full stomach and a safe place and in return we get so much back 

Skiddaw1

LippyDoodle said:

@Skiddaw1 me too along with any other stray/lost/abandoned/cruelty etc. They don't ask for much. Just love, kindness a full stomach and a safe place and in return we get so much back 

@LippyDoodle , I couldn't have put it better...

ANGLICANPAT

Strikes me its the legal  teeth that the RSPCA should be given  that need to be looked at.   Some funds should be spent on campaigning for more powers . Its ridiculous the amount of time the law allows animals to suffer whilst owners are given 'warnings' etc. Think its going to be something more LL's come across  now that its been made difficult to  stop tenants having pets . 

sheramber

Trouble is the RSPCA need proof of ongoing conditions before they can act. They cannot use somebody else 's word.

The owner will probably have been asked to contact RSPCA as well.

If there is no contact and they comeback and conditions are the same then they can act.

They have to abide by the law the same as you or me. They have to have grounds to  enable them to get a  warrant to seize the animals. The police are needed to force entry if necessary.

it is never a quick solution despite being distressing for the animals and those concerned about their welfare.

RSPCA rescue centres operate independently  from the main organisation who have the inspectors. They have to do their own fund raising. they get no support from donations  to RSPCA.

Some are better than others.

 

Cptralls

sheramber said:

Trouble is the RSPCA need proof of ongoing conditions before they can act. They cannot use somebody else 's word.

The owner will probably have been asked to contact RSPCA as well.

If there is no contact and they comeback and conditions are the same then they can act.

They have to abide by the law the same as you or me. They have to have grounds to  enable them to get a  warrant to seize the animals. The police are needed to force entry if necessary.

it is never a quick solution despite being distressing for the animals and those concerned about their welfare.

RSPCA rescue centres operate independently  from the main organisation who have the inspectors. They have to do their own fund raising. they get no support from donations  to RSPCA.

Some are better than others.

 

How much time do they have? 

TheJP

sheramber said:

Trouble is the RSPCA need proof of ongoing conditions before they can act. They cannot use somebody else 's word.

The owner will probably have been asked to contact RSPCA as well.

If there is no contact and they comeback and conditions are the same then they can act.

They have to abide by the law the same as you or me. They have to have grounds to  enable them to get a  warrant to seize the animals. The police are needed to force entry if necessary.

it is never a quick solution despite being distressing for the animals and those concerned about their welfare.

RSPCA rescue centres operate independently  from the main organisation who have the inspectors. They have to do their own fund raising. they get no support from donations  to RSPCA.

Some are better than others.

 

Many of the comments or assumptions in this thread regarding the RSPCA are untrue or out of context. 

1. As others have said their main aim is the welfare of an animal, yes conditions may not be great but if the animal is not in immediate risk they have to give the owner a chance to rectify. They do thinks like tape seal doors to see if the owner has returned to the property within a certain time, track the owner down and make contact and explain the process.

2. It isn't as simple as deciding to take the animal, there is a legal process from a warrant from the police and then a vet signing off that the animals health is a risk.

3. Then the inspector has to decide if there is enough evidence to prosecute.

4.They are understaffed, the only investigative charity of its kind, rely on donations and their workload is controlled by a remote center and they have large areas to cover.

5. I find the comment someone said that they only came out because the bird was rare to be untrue.

6. Yes that is correct the rehoming center's are independent and rely on donations just like the RSPCA however the RSPCA own the land/buildings etc in many areas. The staff that run them live there rent free. 

There will always be people who think they don't do enough or should do more but just don't know the facts and rely on social media to gain their information.

*Husband of an active RSPCA inspector 

Cptralls

I found out a little bit more today, the landlord is now involved. Some residents have spoken to him, he's aware of the 2 dogs outside but only gave permission for the tenants to keep one. The dogs are not walked or allowed outside of their cage by the tenants. As for the number of internal animals, this remains unknown. The outside is in a mess and the landlord has instructed the tenants to clear up the rubbish and act on any RSPCA advice. He seems limited to what he can do but the premises seems to be n a mess and the landlord may take action based on this.