RSPCA Tasmania

Last updated

RSPCA Tasmania
Formation19 July 1878 (1878-07-19)
Legal statusCharity
HeadquartersMowbray, Tasmania, Australia
ServicesAnimal welfare, community education, animal advocacy
CEO
Andrea Dawkins
Parent organisation
 RSPCA Australia
Website rspcatas.org.au

RSPCA Tasmania (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Tasmania) is an animal welfare, education and advocacy charitable organisation based in Tasmania, Australia. They run and maintain a shelter facility for the boarding of surrendered and seized animals, as well as operating retail shop fronts for the adoption of pets. They are responsible for the enforcement of state and federal animal welfare laws for domestic animals, and laws relating to non-commercial animal related activities in Tasmania. [1]

Contents

History

The emergence of an anti-cruelty organisation in Tasmania is partly due to the intellectual currents that developed in England over the maltreatment of animals in the eighteenth and nineteenth century. [2] Sentiments opposing the maltreatment of animals were expressed by social reformers, clergy and politicians in England with early legislative efforts to ban practices such as bull-baiting in the English parliament were made in 1800 and 1809, the former effort led by William Johnstone Pulteney (1729-1805) and the latter by Lord Erskine (1750-1823) but the proposed Bills were defeated. [3]

Creation of England's RSPCA

The first successful passage of anti-cruelty legislation in the British parliament occurred in 1822 [4] under the direction of the Irish politician Richard Martin (1754-1834) who was nicknamed by King George IV as "Humanity Dick." [5] Around the same time that Martin was drafting his anti-cruelty Bill, the Reverend Arthur Broome (1779-1837) had letters published in periodicals in which he canvassed for expressions of interest in forming a voluntary organisation to promote animal welfare and oppose cruelty. [6]

After the passage of Richard Martin's anti-cruelty to cattle bill in 1822, Broome attempted to form a Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals that would bring together the patronage of persons who were of social rank and committed to social reforms. Broome did organise and chair a meeting of sympathisers in November 1822 where it was agreed that a Society should be created and at which Broome was named its Secretary but the attempt was short-lived. [7]

Broome made a renewed attempt and distributed invitations so that a number of social reformers gathered on 16 June 1824 at Old Slaughter's Coffee House, London to create a Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. [8] The meeting was chaired by Thomas Fowell Buxton MP (1786-1845) and the resolution to establish the Society was voted on. Among the others who were present as founding members were Sir James Mackintosh MP, Richard Martin, William Wilberforce, Basil Montagu, John Ashley Warre, Rev. George Bonner (1784-1840), Rev. George Avery Hatch (1757-1837), Sir James Graham, John Gilbert Meymott, William Mudford, and Lewis Gompertz. [9] Broome was appointed as the Society's first honorary secretary. [10] Queen Victoria in 1840 bestowed the Royal Prefix so that it became known as the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. [11]

Early concerns in Tasmania

The earliest piece of colonial legislation that carried penalties for some forms of cruelty toward animals was passed in Tasmania (then called Van Diemen's Land) in 1837. [12] This piece of legislation, however, lacked the proper infrastructure needed for its enforcement and it was replaced by the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1877 and amended in 1879. [13] In the 1860s Tasmanian newspapers occasionally published articles concerning animal cruelty issues that were from British newspapers. [14] Sentiments about the necessity of passing substantial anti-cruelty laws and creating an organisation similar to England's RSPCA were published in the 1870s. [15]

The Tasmanian SPCA was created at a public meeting on Friday 19 July 1878 that was chaired by the Governor Frederick Weld (1823-1891) and other prominent figures included Sir James Milne Wilson (1812-1880) and the Anglican Dean of Hobart Rev. Henry B. Bromby (1840-1911). [16] The resolution was passed at this meeting "that a society for the prevention of cruelty to animals be established in Tasmania." Rev. Bromby addressed the crowd stating: "They should take high ground in estimating the work of the society, that they should not only deem it as an auxiliary to the existing law for the prevention of cruelty to animals, but that they should deem this prevention to form parts of their Christian duty. For the humane treatment of the brute creation was enjoined by the Bible, and the same had been emphatically laid upon them by our Saviour's words, so that it might be considered to form one of the foundations of Christianity." [17]

Christian influence on SPCA

Stefan Petrow's account of the early years of Tasmania's SPCA indicates that there was a close relationship established with England's RSPCA. [18] Petrow notes that "religious motivations were regularly affirmed at annual general meetings." [19] The Society's early efforts included witnesses reporting to the police incidents of cruelty and the publication of literature encouraging children to act kindly toward animals. [20]

In the early twentieth century various churches in Tasmania sponsored an annual Animal Sunday service which had the twin aims of promoting kindness toward animals as well as supporting the SPCA. [21] Johannes Heyer (1872-1945) who served as the minister at St. John's Presbyterian Church, Macquarie Street, Hobart, as well as the moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Tasmania, also served as the secretary of the Hobart branch of the SPCA. [22]

Later developments

During the twentieth century public concerns in Tasmania were expressed over the maltreatment of horses by youthful cart-drivers. [23] The society participated in government inquiries concerning the export of animals. [24] The SPCA also asked for further legal amendments concerning the keeping of birds in captivity. [25] A branch of the Society was established in Launceston and it opened up junior members branches for the Society in various Launceston-based schools. [26] In 1950 the Launceston branch sought funding for an animal hospital. [27]

The Royal Warrant was granted to the Tasmanian SPCA in 1956. [28] In 1980 the Tasmanian RSPCA helped in the formation of the national body known as RSPCA Australia. [29]

During the twenty-first century the use and abuse of animals across Australia and within Tasmania has stimulated public debates on a range of issues including intensive agricultural farming, the live export trade, [30] unlicensed puppy farms, animals used in circuses and rodeos, greyhound and horse racing. [31] RSPCA Tasmania has invited the public via its website to participate in campaigns that oppose the use of whips in horse racing and calling for government intervention on unlicensed puppy farm breeding. [32]

Law enforcement

RSPCA Tasmania inspectorate team has 6 dedicated staff to enforce animal welfare laws in Tasmania. [33] They have a range of powers, including the ability to fine individuals on the spot for violations. [34] The legal powers that authorise Tasmania's RSPCA inspectors to investigate reports of animal cruelty are specified in the Animal Welfare Act 1993. [35]

Criticism

RSPCA Tasmania has had some of the heaviest criticism of all RSPCA branches. From 2008-2010, criticism of the RSPCA’s Tasmanian branch reached the national headlines following a disagreement with Australia's 4th richest woman Jan Cameron, who criticised RSPCA Tasmania on the raising of staff wages, its increased euthanasia rates, its lowered number of accepted animals [36] and for mismanagement of the board, [37] resulting in her withdrawal of millions of dollars of pledged funding. Criticism by a string of former board members also reached the headlines after Susanna Cass, former President of the Tasmanian branch, resigned from the board and then later had her membership revoked because a statement made by Cass in the media "negatively impacted on the society's ability to meet its objectives", according to the RSPCA's official release. [38] She later accused the board of spending money on unrequired bureaucracy instead of animal welfare. [39]

Director John Bates also resigned from the state board in 2009 and later had his membership revoked and was disallowed from volunteering at the Hobart RSPCA shelter after he raised concerns about management of donations by the branch. [40] [41] [42] Further troubles with volunteers, including other board members, took place in 2008 and 2009 when the RSPCA Tasmania controversially sacked manager of the Burnie Shelter Joan McQueen, and was forced to pay out an undisclosed amount to Mrs McQueen following the Burnie City Council seeking a meeting to discuss the matter and a mass walkout of Burnie Shelter RSPCA volunteers. [43] [44] [45] [46] The RSPCA later revoked the membership of the estranged husband of Joan McQueen, Mick McQueen - former chairman of the board - for an altercation on the day of his wife’s sacking with the Chairman at the time Dr Rick Butler. Mr McQueen later criticised the RSPCA board as having a "boys club mentality". [47]

On 13 November 2012 the Green's Animal Welfare Spokesperson (Cassy O'Connor) called on the Deputy Premier to step in and dismiss the current board of three. The Minister indicated that unfortunately he did not have the power to take such action under any legislation in Tasmania. On the same day with unanimous support it was moved by the State Parliament that the affairs of RSPCA Tasmania and the usage of tax payer money be investigated by the Public Accounts Committee. [48]

In November 2012 the board of RSPCA Tasmania sacked its CEO Ben Sturges (son of the MP Graeme Sturges) after an independent investigation by James O'Neill and Associates that alleged he had bullied and threatened staff and their jobs, made derogatory comments about the RSPCA Tasmania board and withheld information from them, deleted portions of emails and destroyed a work laptop. The investigation also concluded he had artificially created the position of Chief Veterinarian for the organisation's only veterinarian with whom he was in a relationship, therefore entitling her to a pay rise. [49] Ben Sturges initially took the matter to Fair Work Australia to dispute his sacking and requesting reinstatement. He withdraw his complaint on 7 February, the day he was due to give evidence to Fair Work Australia. [50] [51]

In relation to the incident, calls were made by former President of RSPCA Tasmania Suzanne Cass to have the board of RSPCA Tasmania sacked. [52]

See also

Bibliography

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References

  1. ↑ "Our Purpose". rspcatas.org.au. RSPCA Tasmania. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
  2. ↑ See Stefan Petrow, "Civilising Mission: Animal Protection in Hobart 1878-1914," Britain and the World 5 (2012): pp 69-95.
  3. ↑ Kathryn Shevelow, For the Love of Animals: The Rise of the Animal Protection Movement (New York: Henry Holt, 2008), pp 201-240.
  4. ↑ Cruel Treatment of Cattle Act 1822 (3 Geo. 4. c. 71)
  5. ↑ Peter Phillips, Humanity Dick The Eccentric Member for Galway: The Story of Richard Martin, Animal Rights Pioneer, 1754-1834 (Tunbridge Wells, Kent: Parapress, 2003), p 146.
  6. ↑ "To Correspondents" The Kaleidoscope, 6 March 1821 p 288. Also see The Monthly Magazine Vol. 51 April 1, 1821 p 3. "The Brute Species". "Notice" in Morning Post, 17 February 1821, p 3. Similarly see "Cruelty to Animals" The Sporting Magazine Vol. VIII New Series No. XLIII (April 1821), p 33. See comments on these notices in Shevelow, For the Love of Animals, pp 267-268
  7. ↑ Shevelow, For The Love of Animals, 268; Arthur W. Moss, Valiant Crusade: The History of the RSPCA (London: Cassell, 1961), 22.
  8. ↑ Lewis Gompertz, Fragments in Defence of Animals, and Essays on Morals, Souls and Future State (London: Horsell, 1852), p. 174;Edward G. Fairholme and Wellesley Pain, A Century of Work For Animals: The History of the RSPCA 1824-1934 (London: John Murray, 1934), pp 54-55.
  9. ↑ A complete list of the founder members is recorded in Gompertz, Fragments in Defence of Animals, pp 174-175.
  10. ↑ "Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals" Morning Post 28 June 1824 p 2.
  11. ↑ Fairholme and Pain, A Century of Work for Animals, p 89.
  12. ↑ Philip Jamieson, "Animal Welfare: A Movement in Transition,' in Law and History: A Collection of Papers Presented at the 1989 Law and History Conference ed. Suzanne Corcoran (Adelaide: University of Adelaide, 1989), p 24.
  13. ↑ Petrow, "Civilising Mission," p 76.
  14. ↑ For example, "Professor Masson on Sentimentalism," The Mercury, Thursday 6 May 1869, p 3.
  15. ↑ The Mercury, Saturday 31 July 1875, p 2.
  16. ↑ "Prevention of Cruelty to Animals" The Mercury, Saturday 20 July 1878, p 2.
  17. ↑ The Mercury, 20 July 1878, p. 2
  18. ↑ Petrow, "Civilising Mission", p 79.
  19. ↑ Petrow, "Civilising Mission," p 80.
  20. ↑ See letter "Cruelty to Animals," The Mercury, Tuesday 29 November 1892, p 3; also Petrow, "Civilising Mission," pp 81-83.
  21. ↑ "Tasmania SPCA. The Annual Meeting" The Mercury, Wednesday 17 March 1909, p 6.
  22. ↑ See "Obituary. Rev J. Heyer Dies Suddenly in Hobart" The Mercury, Friday 19 October 1945, p 7;Chris Mostert, 'Heyer, Johannes (1872–1945)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, accessed online 26 May 2017.
  23. ↑ "Launceston RSPCA. Boys Driving Horses," The Mercury, Tuesday 9 July 1929, p 5.
  24. ↑ "Australian Fauna. Export of Specimens," World, [Hobart] Monday 26 November 1923, p 3.
  25. ↑ "New Laws on Animal Cruelty Urged," The Mercury, Wednesday, 27 September 1944, p 4.
  26. ↑ "Work of RSPCA" Examiner [Launceston] Tuesday, 18 September 1945, p 4.
  27. ↑ "RSPCA Needs Hospital," Advocate [Burnie] Thursday 26 October 1950, p 4.
  28. ↑ Tasmanian Archives
  29. ↑ See details on its registration
  30. ↑ Four Corners "A Bloody Business" 30 May 2011; Bidda Jones and Julian Davies, Backlash: Australia's Conflict of Values Over Live Exports (Braidwood NSW: Finlay Lloyd Book, 2016) ISBN   9780994516503
  31. ↑ For general discussions about some of these issues see Richard D. Ryder, Animal Revolution: Changing Attitudes Towards Speciesism, Rev Ed (Oxford; New York: Berg, 2000) ISBN   978-1-85973-330-1. Norm Phelps, The Longest Struggle: Animal Advocacy from Pythagoras to PETA (New York: Lantern, 2007) ISBN   978-1-59056-106-5. Peter Singer Ed. In Defense of Animals: The Second Wave (Malden, Massachusetts; Oxford: Blackwell, 2006) ISBN   978-1-4051-1941-2
  32. ↑ See "Big Issues"
  33. ↑ "Inspectorate RSPCA Tasmania - Protect Animals | Educate People | Advocate". rspcatas.org.au. RSPCA Tasmania. Retrieved 12 April 2002.
  34. ↑ "New powers for RSPCA inspectors gives pet laws more bite". PerthNow. 19 January 2013. Retrieved 23 October 2014.
  35. ↑ Animal Welfare Act 1993 For more background discussion and description of existing anti-cruelty legislation in Australia, including Tasmania, see Deborah Cao, Animal Law in Australia and New Zealand (Sydney: Thomson Reuters, 2010), and Peter Sankoff & Steven White eds. Animal Law in Australasia (Sydney: Federation Press, 2009).
  36. ↑ Brain, Rachael (6 May 2009). "RSPCA says millionaire's offer should be no strings attached". The Examiner. Retrieved 13 October 2013.
  37. ↑ "RSPCA dogfight with millionaire benefactor". Theaustralian.com. Retrieved 13 October 2013.
  38. ↑ "RSPCA board row deepens Tasmania News - the Mercury - the Voice of Tasmania". www.themercury.com.au. Archived from the original on 12 September 2012. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
  39. ↑ "RSPCA rejects criticisms - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)". Abc.net.au. 29 July 2010. Retrieved 13 October 2013.
  40. ↑ "More RSPCA anguish Tasmania News - the Mercury - the Voice of Tasmania". www.themercury.com.au. Archived from the original on 14 September 2012. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
  41. ↑ "RSPCA's cold shoulder to former director - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)". ABC News. Abc.net.au. 21 September 2009. Retrieved 13 October 2013.
  42. ↑ Wild, Ben (21 September 2009). "RSPCA chook shed volunteer is told to leave". The Examiner. Retrieved 13 October 2013.
  43. ↑ Ford, Sean (18 May 2009). "RSPCA pays out sacked manager". The Advocate. Retrieved 13 October 2013.
  44. ↑ Haneveer, Anthony (19 May 2008). "Claws out over shelter". The Advocate. Retrieved 13 October 2013.
  45. ↑ "Deal ends RSPCA battle Tasmania News - the Mercury - the Voice of Tasmania". www.themercury.com.au. Archived from the original on 30 December 2012. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
  46. ↑ Ford, Sean (27 May 2008). "RSPCA has a fight on its hands". The Advocate. Retrieved 13 October 2013.
  47. ↑ Haneveer, Anthony (22 June 2008). "Speaking out over RSPCA". The Advocate. Retrieved 13 October 2013.
  48. ↑ [ dead link ]
  49. ↑ Maloney, Matt (25 November 2012). "Ex-RSPCA chief set for battle". The Examiner. Retrieved 24 January 2014.
  50. ↑ Maloney, Matt (7 February 2013). "Former RSPCA chief withdraws action". The Examiner. Retrieved 24 January 2014.
  51. ↑ "Sacked RSPCA boss bites back". ABC News. 7 November 2012. Retrieved 24 January 2014.
  52. ↑ "Call to sack RSPCA board - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)". Abc.net.au. 8 November 2012. Retrieved 13 October 2013.
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