The original link to the story above is from October 2009.
The lady spokeswoman Anne Kasica for the organisation that campaigns against the RSPCA has herself been prosecuted for cruelty to horses:
"A woman from Carmathenshire who allowed two horses to starve to death escaped a fine when a court ruled she had no means of paying. Anne Kasica (46) of Felindre, Llandysul was convicted of 12 cruelty charges on horses in her care by magistrates. But she immediately lodged an appeal against the convictions and fines of £17,200. This meant that the RSPCA, who had seized all 12 horses, was unable to find new homes for them until after the appeal. However, Kasica withdrew her appeal at Swansea Crown Court on 24/10/00. RSPCA officers found the 12 emaciated horses in boggy fields near Llandysul and took them into care but two later died. Magistrates in the original case at Carmarthen ordered Kasica to pay £600 for each offence and costs of £10,000 a total of £17,200. But after withdrawing from an appeal hearing Kasica was told she would have no fines to pay because she had no way of paying them. The 10 horses that have been in care are now fit and healthy. A 10-year ban on keeping horses, which was imposed on Kasica by the magistrates, still stands."
I don't know any more about her, but as she lives in my area I have to add that there is, and has always been, all kinds of animal abuse and neglect in West Wales, including large numbers of "puppy farms" dog breeding, farm animals and horses. I have come across, or known of quite a few over the years, without going out of my way to look for them. The numbers of unwanted dogs in the UK has rocketed in the last couple of years. Is the agenda of this organisation to protect dog breeders from inspection?
I'm sure the RSPCA is not perfect, but no charity is, and they will get it wrong some of the time and some inspectors will be less sensitive than others. If they overstep the mark or do something illegal then they should be investigated, but what is the alternative? No intervention, and cruelty will continue.
