The rural community has expressed its concerns with the RSPCA's new strategy of getting statutory powers to rescue animals.
The RSPCA’s strategy, announced by its Chairman Daphne Harris, is to “get statutory powers for our inspectors to help them rescue animals”.
The Countryside Alliance is concerned that the RSPCA wants the power to be able to enter private property if it believes an offence is being committed.
The news comes as the RSPCA suffers issues at the executive level after its Chief Executive left after just one year.
In addition, the Charity Commission had to ask for changes to the RSPCA governance, this included the introduction of a code to help improve RSPCA council meetings.
'Power to enter land'
Tim Bonner, Chief Executive of the Countryside Alliance said: “The RSPCA wants statutory powers of entry on to private property and intends to use its huge £140 million annual budget in pursuit of those powers.
“Not happy with being moral arbiter, investigator and prosecutor of criminal offences the RSPCA now wants the power to enter your land, access your garden and break down your front door if it believes an offence is being committed.
“Considering the controversy that surrounds the RSPCA for the organisation to even suggest that the state should entrust an organisation this flawed with far reaching and fundamental powers over its citizens shows how deluded the RSPCA is, but do not expect any dawn of reality.
“Instead the RSPCA’s council will undoubtedly pursue its political aim with zeal, and with money donated to improve the welfare of animals."
Police warrant
However, the RSPCA has said in a statement that it is not seeking powers to enter private residences - but seeking powers to enter outbuildings and land and to seize animals in distress.
An RSPCA statement said: "As recommended by the Wooler Review, we are looking for limited statutory powers under the act - entry into outbuildings and land where it is believed an animal is suffering but not into private residences - we would still need a police warrant for this.
"We are also seeking the power to seize animals in distress. At present we have to wait for the police and a vet which could prolong an animal suffering.
"In Scotland and Ireland, the SSPCA and ISPCA have been given similar powers under their animal welfare legislation."
