Distraught family ready to sue RSPCA
12:00a.m. 6 July 2008 Taken from Sunshine Coast Daily
The owners of a dog being held by the RSPCA over allegations of mistreatment have launched a legal battle to have their pet released.
Cheryl Bell-Hutton’s 14-year-old dog, Rochester, was seized by RSPCA officials after being discovered in a Landsborough backyard about three weeks ago.
The dog had run away from the family’s home while Ms Bell-Hutton was overseas, but RSPCA officials have refused to release him because they have concerns he had not received proper care. They claim he was underweight and in poor condition when they seized him and are treating him for “severe conditions” which, they claim, initial veterinary tests suggest had not been treated for some time.
Ms Bell-Hutton has acknowledged Rochester was in a poor condition when he was found, but said it was due to his age.
Problems with his coat and skin were caused by allergies for which he received constant treatment, she said.The family owns another dog and point to its good health as proof they would never neglect their dogs.
RSPCA Sunshine Coast inspector Julia Steley confirmed Rochester was still in the care of the RSPCA and had been receiving treatment.
“His condition has improved and reports from the shelter where he is being held confirm he is a very happy dog,” she said.
She revealed she had been inundated with calls of support for the Bell-Huttons since their dog was seized.
Ms Bell-Hutton said she had sought legal advice and lodged an application with the Department of Primary Industries to review the RSPCA’s decision.
“We should hear back from them next week,” she said.
Despite “massive support” from the public, the ordeal has taken its toll on the family.
During her visits to the RSPCA’s Noosa shelter to see Rochester, Ms Bell-Hutton said she felt like a criminal.
“They wouldn’t let me pat him ... I could only touch him with one finger as that is all I could fit through the cage bars,” she said. “It is really hurtful.”
Her son, who suffers from Asperger’s syndrome, was so upset he had gone to visit his father and did not want to return home.
“People have been really lovely. I guess everyone feels sympathetic,” Ms Bell-Hutton said.
Ms Steley said the RSPCA was gathering evidence for possible legal action against Ms Bell-Hutton, but no decision would be made until a 28-day holding period had ended. She confirmed Rochester would be returned to Ms Bell-Hutton if that was the ultimate decision; otherwise a new home would be found.
Ms Bell-Hutton said she would continue to fight to get Rochester home if the appeal did not go in her favour.
“There is no way I wouldn’t continue to fight,” she said.
Inspector Steley said people could call the RSPCA on 1300 852 188 if they had any queries.
Latest comment
Posted by Pikey from Rosemount
on 6 July, 2008 at 8:54 a.m.
This all looks very bad for the RSPCA, I am sure we are all well aware that they need to review all the cases they are presented with, however anyone can see this is clearly a mistake a could have been rectified quite quickly and easily. This sort of thing makes the RSPCA look like criminals and I guess is going to affect the help and support provided by the public. One RSPCA office is going to make it bad for all....I for one, will think twice before I donate to the RSPCA, something that I would have done without thinking before this.
Cheryl Bell-Hutton’s 14-year-old dog, Rochester, was seized by RSPCA officials after being discovered in a Landsborough backyard about three weeks ago.
The dog had run away from the family’s home while Ms Bell-Hutton was overseas, but RSPCA officials have refused to release him because they have concerns he had not received proper care. They claim he was underweight and in poor condition when they seized him and are treating him for “severe conditions” which, they claim, initial veterinary tests suggest had not been treated for some time.
Ms Bell-Hutton has acknowledged Rochester was in a poor condition when he was found, but said it was due to his age.
Problems with his coat and skin were caused by allergies for which he received constant treatment, she said.The family owns another dog and point to its good health as proof they would never neglect their dogs.
RSPCA Sunshine Coast inspector Julia Steley confirmed Rochester was still in the care of the RSPCA and had been receiving treatment.
“His condition has improved and reports from the shelter where he is being held confirm he is a very happy dog,” she said.
She revealed she had been inundated with calls of support for the Bell-Huttons since their dog was seized.
Ms Bell-Hutton said she had sought legal advice and lodged an application with the Department of Primary Industries to review the RSPCA’s decision.
“We should hear back from them next week,” she said.
Despite “massive support” from the public, the ordeal has taken its toll on the family.
During her visits to the RSPCA’s Noosa shelter to see Rochester, Ms Bell-Hutton said she felt like a criminal.
“They wouldn’t let me pat him ... I could only touch him with one finger as that is all I could fit through the cage bars,” she said. “It is really hurtful.”
Her son, who suffers from Asperger’s syndrome, was so upset he had gone to visit his father and did not want to return home.
“People have been really lovely. I guess everyone feels sympathetic,” Ms Bell-Hutton said.
Ms Steley said the RSPCA was gathering evidence for possible legal action against Ms Bell-Hutton, but no decision would be made until a 28-day holding period had ended. She confirmed Rochester would be returned to Ms Bell-Hutton if that was the ultimate decision; otherwise a new home would be found.
Ms Bell-Hutton said she would continue to fight to get Rochester home if the appeal did not go in her favour.
“There is no way I wouldn’t continue to fight,” she said.
Inspector Steley said people could call the RSPCA on 1300 852 188 if they had any queries.
Latest comment
Posted by Pikey from Rosemount
on 6 July, 2008 at 8:54 a.m.
This all looks very bad for the RSPCA, I am sure we are all well aware that they need to review all the cases they are presented with, however anyone can see this is clearly a mistake a could have been rectified quite quickly and easily. This sort of thing makes the RSPCA look like criminals and I guess is going to affect the help and support provided by the public. One RSPCA office is going to make it bad for all....I for one, will think twice before I donate to the RSPCA, something that I would have done without thinking before this.