Welfare cases Flashcards
Do the RSPCA or vets have the legal right to remove an animal from an owner?
No, requires police
What is the vet’s role when attending a welfare case with the RSPCA?
Priority is the animal, not prosecution
Is there enough evidence to warrant removal under these offences:
- The Animal Welfare Act Section 4: Allowing unnecessary suffering
- The Animal Welfare Act Section 9: Failure to adequately provide for animals needs (ie needs for the 5 freedoms) - generally would need to be extreme/failings of multiple freedoms to be removed
If not, what improvements need to be made?
Should you implant a microchip when visiting a horse with an RSPCA officer with owner not present?
No, not without owner consent
Can spray mark case number on horse if needed
Take photos, draw markings etc
When to examine horses in a welfare case and take blood samples/WECs etc?
ASAP - on site if possible
If not safe on site, ideally examine and take samples as soon as off transport at RSPCA holding centre (if not, next morning)
Don’t want to find things days later as won’t hold up well in court as to whether was present when in owner’s possession e.g. lameness
Sedation dose to use for welfare case transport?
Licensed doses initially
Any deviations of dose will need to be defended, so document reasons for these decisions
Where to send welfare case bloods etc?
External lab (RSPCA like Beaufort cottage)
If urgent, run in house too
Ensure good paper trail, send away yourself (or document which member of staff given to and posted)
Defence lawyers will find problems with bloods wherever possible
What to do if welfare case warrants immediate euthanasia, but don’t have owner consent?
Always get second opinion - in person or over the phone with photos etc if appropriate e.g. open fracture
Police consent required to consent to euthanasia - ideally in person, but may be over the phone
Should you do a PM of a dead animal welfare case or welfare case euthanised?
Yes
If don’t, will have to justify this in court - e.g. open fracture wouldn’t require full PM to show cause of suffering
Send whole horse to pathologist
Cost must be agreed beforehand with welfare field officers
If you PM perform yourself, take photos and multiple samples
What to do if multiple vets involved in welfare case?
Avoid too many vets, as will all have to provide statements and might have to give evidence in court
Ensure good documented handovers when required
What treatment is allowed when removed animal from owner’s care, but has not been signed over?
Owner still ultimately responsible for decisions
Can do life saving treatment, but need their consent for surgery, complex treatments etc
Keep treatments simple, use licensed medications unless no alternative (document decision making reasons)
What to write in witness statement for welfare case?
MUST give an opinion on whether suffering and how long for - be clear and write this for legal professionals (do not assume any medical/veterinary/horse knowledge) - e.g. if acute laminitis, explain the clinical signs and diagnostics of pain and suffering
If section 9 - detail all the areas at fault and refer to the DEFRA code of practice for keeping horses
