Animal campaigners blast plans to allow charity accused of failing Ayrshire Ark dogs to police welfare scheme
A three-month consultation will ask the public if they back the bid. It follows The Scottish Sun on Sunday’s successful Sort Our Shelters campaign
ANIMAL campaigners have blasted plans to allow the charity accused of failing Ayrshire Ark dogs to police a new pet welfare scheme.
Ground-breaking proposals for a licensing regime for shelters will be unveiled by Holyrood chiefs tomorrow.
But the possibility that the Scottish SPCA could land the job of inspecting refuges has angered pet activists.
John Robins, of Animal Concern, slammed the proposition by environment secretary Roseanna Cunningham, left with Maltese cross Daisy.
He said: “Appointing the Scottish SPCA would be a grave error.
“As a charity, it is not covered by freedom of information laws and not open to public scrutiny.
"Many rescue groups were established by people who did not trust the Scottish SPCA.”
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A three-month consultation will ask the public if they back the bid. It follows The Scottish Sun on Sunday’s successful Sort Our Shelters campaign.
The enforcement agency may be granted powers to suspend or revoke a shelter’s operating rights.
Feedback is also being sought on bringing in a national register of sanctuaries.
The Scottish SPCA insists it’s “well-equipped to carry out such a function”.
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Chief Mike Flynn added: “Licensing and regulation will stop places like the Ayrshire Ark operating behind closed doors.”
Visiting the Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home last week, Ms Cunningham said: “Some big centres are incredibly well run but there may be smaller places that could do with support.”
The consultation will be open for responses at https://consult.gov.scot from tomorrow until March 4.
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