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Chris Simpson, part of the RSPCA's Learning
and Development team responsible for
training new RSPCA inspectors, provides
this insight.
The RSPCA has, for many years, been
concerned about links between animal abuse
and child abuse. The RSPCA has been actively
raising awareness of those links, together
with other organisations, to help safeguard
vulnerable children in our society.
All new trainee inspectors receive training in
safeguarding and awareness of the potential
links. In most cases, this will involve an officer
investigating a complaint of animal neglect or
abuse, and becoming concerned about the
welfare of a child whilst in someone's house.
The officer will then share this concern with
the NSPCC through a dedicated referral line.
Recent tracking of these referrals, where
feedback was received, has shown that
50 percent resulted in an Initial Assessment,
Section 47 of the Children Act 1989 enquiries
(risk of significant harm), or care proceedings
taking place. Of these, 80 percent were as
a result of alleged neglect abuse whilst 20
percent were actioned due to physical abuse
allegations. The remaining 50 percent of these
referrals, where feedback was received,
were regarding families already known to
Brutal beating leads to 14 weeks' imprisonment
A Merseyside dog owner battered his Staffordshire bull terrier puppy
so badly he was left severely brain-damaged, then left him to suffer
for two days.
Investigating officer:
RSPCA Inspector Anthony Joynes
Defendant:
Male 22, unemployed
Offences:
Animal Welfare Act 2006 s4
Pleas:
Guilty
Total convictions:
Two
Sentence:
Disqualified from keeping animals for life;
14 weeks' imprisonment.
Prosecuted by:
FPH Law Solicitors
agencies and contributed knowledge to
ongoing work.
One Section 47 referral concerned a oneyear-old
male child who was being subjected
to severe neglect within the family home. An
RSPCA officer had visited, and discovered that
two dogs had died as a result of being left
without food and water. Upon receiving the
referral from the RSPCA, Children's Services
undertook a strategy meeting and Initial Child
Case Conference. The child is now subject to
a Child Protection Plan and currently living
outside his mother's care whilst assessments
are undertaken.
The NSPCC has said of the RSPCA's work:
"It cannot be underestimated how the calls
received to the helpline by the RSPCA have
helped provide information which has meant
that children, potentially suffering from abuse,
have been safeguarded."
Many professionals believe that there is a
clear link between the abuse of animals and
that of people. The following three cases
give some indication of that link.
A witness had heard blows and animal cries
and contacted the RSPCA. Dexter was found
on a balcony outside the flat, pacing in tight
circles with blood-red eyes.
Initially, the man told officers Dexter had
suffered head injuries by knocking a television
onto himself.
The beating had left four-month-old Dexter
in a stupor and so seriously injured he was
euthanased on veterinary advice
Chair of the magistrates' bench said:
"We are sentencing you for this act of
shocking and brutal violence against a
defenceless animal. We are of the opinion
the offences are so serious only a custodial
sentence is appropriate."
RSPCA Inspector Anthony Joynes said: "This
was a sickening case involving a young puppy
who paid the ultimate price at the hands
of his cruel and violent owner. This case
not only deeply affected my colleagues
and myself, but also the police officer and
veterinary surgeon involved."
The defendant was later convicted of
grievous bodily harm with intent after
beating his six-week-old baby.
LINK CHILD ABUSE
It cannot be underestimated how
the calls received to the helpline
by the RSPCA have helped provide
information which has meant that
children, potentially suffering from
abuse, have been safeguarded.
NSPCC
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