RSPCA wash hands over inbred dalmations

THE RSPCA has been accused of “washing its hands” over 50 inbred Dalmatian dogs kept in fields near Perranporth after neighbours found some drowned in swimming pools.
Breeder Michelle Cousins lets the pack roam around secluded Great Retallick Farm at Mount, and locals have complained bitterly at the dogs' poor condition and nuisance behaviour.
The Dalmatians are believed to descend from just one litter and some are suffering genetic faults such as deafness and blindness.
On two separate occasions, in March and also two years ago, dogs strayed and drowned in nearby outdoor swimming pools.
The West Briton
But the RSPCA has said that although it removed a handful of dogs needing urgent veterinary treatment, it would not take action on the others.
One neighbour, who did not want to be identified, said: “It's horrendous. They have all got mange and some of them seem to be blind.
“You would be absolutely horrified at some of the things we have seen and heard.
“Everyone is fed up with the howling and we have had enough.The RSPCA just aren't doing enough and appear to have washed their hands of it.”
Ms Cousins once owned a large detached house at Great Retallick, but as her dogs multiplied she failed to keep mortgage payments and was served with an eviction notice.
She now squats on the land in a caravan, Carrick District Council's environmental health department confirmed.
Jo Barr, from the RSPCA, said: “We are continuing to work with the owner and give advice on a weekly basis.
“The conditions aren't ideal but any animals that have needed veterinary care have got it and in terms of water, shelter and food the dogs' needs are being met.”
Carrick District Council environmental health officers once dealt with an incident at the property. A dog warden also picked up a stray that was in a poor condition more than a year ago.
One woman told how she demanded a refund after finding out that the Dalmatian she bought for £500 from Ms Cousins was deaf induced from inbreeding.
The West Briton
Retired RSPCA warden Rex Harper said: “People start off with the best will in the world with this sort of thing and they do a good job but they get fanatical, take on too many animals and things go wrong. It's expensive enough looking after just one dog

just shows you the rspca arnt the angels people see them to be, these dogs should have been removed years ago, if the rspca had acted when they got the inforamtion this was happening, this woman obviosley needs help, she probabley thinks she is helping these dogs and doesnt realise it is wrong. It make you wonder why the social services havent got involved god knows what conditions she is living in trying to look after all the dogs. Meanwhile these dogs must be suffering.

this is a sad storey, one of many in the world. it is very sad when someones love and help for dogs and animals, becomes out of control and even though the woman proberly tried to help them in the beginning and didnt have the funds to care for the dogs properly. the so called RSPCA should have stepped in at the beginning when this problem could have been sorted out pronto.

its always the way with the rspca, suki once caught a bird and broke its wing, i rang the rspca and they said they wouldnt come and pick it up untill i had caught it and put it into a box, even then it took 2 days for them to come to pick it up, by that time it had died.

i dont think that the rspca are that well funded like most charities out there, i think that a lot of the time it must be short of man power, like most things in this world.