JSPCA seeks legal power to seize neglected animals

An animal charity in Jersey wants more legal powers to seize animals which are not being cared for properly.

The JSPCA said that under the Animal Welfare (Jersey) Law 2004, which is more than 20 years old, it could not bring cases against owners mistreating their animals - unlike its UK equivalent RSPCA.

Currently, only the States veterinary officer or an inspector can legally "seize the animal and remove it to a place of safe custody".

Interim CEO Tom Noel said he wanted to work with the relevant authorities to intervene more as the lack of power led to criticism of the charity.

He said: "It's sometimes quite heartbreaking because you can read things like, 'I saw this animal and I raised it to JSPCA and they don't care and nothing was done'.

"We do care... but we do have to work within legal powers that we currently have."

Mr Noel said every welfare case that was brought to it was investigated.

He added that the JSPCA planned to create a page on its website "in the next few months" for people to anonymously submit potential animal abuse cases.

The charity said it received 3,500 call outs each year and sometimes its staff faced aggression.

Mr Noel said often go out to people in the middle of night and "there's often alcohol involved in these scenarios".

He said staff do not have the protection of body worn cameras: "It's a basic thing that the ambulance service in Jersey has, we should have it."

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