[Greens-Media] Mark Parnell MLC: RSPCA Financial crisis will place lives at risk

[Greens]

 RSPCA: Financial crisis will place lives at risk

27/09/06

An emerging financial crisis in the RSPCA, the state's premier animal
welfare agency, is placing the lives of their inspectors at risk, and
means the RSPCA will continue to struggle to adequately prosecute
offenders, says Greens MLC Mark Parnell.

"It is unacceptable in 2006 for a private charity to send, on our
behalf, minimally trained inspectors, alone, with no legitimate back-up,
into situations of clear risk. The Police would not act under these
circumstances, so why should the primary law enforcement body for the
state's animal cruelty laws?

"This is not just a theoretical risk. In Victoria, RSPCA inspectors have
been shot and killed, and there is a strong link between human and
animal cruelty. For example notorious murderers Martin Bryant and Ted
Bundy were both guilty of animal cruelty offences.

"The Greens believe that before someone gets hurt, there needs to be a
comprehensive, external review to work out if we can do this better and
safer," he said.

Mark Parnell will move this afternoon in Parliament for a select
committee to be set up to examine whether a private charity should have
the primary law enforcement role under the Prevention of Cruelty to
Animals Act 1985.

"Encouragingly, RSPCA members themselves have recognised the need for
change. At today's AGM, RSPCA members will elect, for the first time in
its 130 year history, people onto the RSPCA's Governing Council who have
been actively opposing the Society's current direction and leadership.

"RSPCA members have recognised the need for change, I now hope that
Minister Gail Gago, as a relatively new Minister in charge of this area,
will look at our current animal cruelty arrangements with fresh eyes and
realise that we can do it better," he said.

For further comment contact Craig Wilkins on 0434 007 893


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