Get Pepe Home
Our Little Boy Deserves His Best Friend Back
Petition addressed to: The RSPCA Board of Trustees and Chief Executive Officer

For nearly eight months, our 8-year-old son, Otis, has asked the same heartbreaking question:

"Where's Pepe?"

Every day, we have tried to protect him from a reality no child should have to face. Unable to face telling him the truth, we have told him that Pepe is staying in our kennels — and we have watched him wait, hope, and believe that his best friend will come home.

Pepe isn't "just a dog."

She is Otis' shadow, his comfort, his playmate and his best friend. She has been by his side through childhood — walking with him, travelling with him, sleeping beside him and growing up alongside him.

The bond between a child and their dog is something that cannot be replaced.

Today, Otis is living without the companion he loves most.

The facts of Pepe's case:

Pepe is a healthy, sociable Patterdale Terrier who lived happily with us for three years before she was seized as part of an ongoing case.

The RSPCA is now seeking to have her euthanised — not because she is unhealthy or suffering, not because she has ever bitten anyone, not because she was found dangerous, not because a vet has said it's in her own interest, but because she "may have received bitework training." A guess about her past, with nothing to connect it to anything she has actually done.

Requests for an independent expert to assess Pepe have so far been refused.

She is healthy. She is not a danger to anyone. She needs to come home.

What this petition asks:

This petition asks those responsible to carefully review Pepe's case and to consider every available option that would allow our much-loved family dog to return home safely, if it is appropriate to do so.

We are also asking for:

• An independent behavioural and veterinary assessment of Pepe, carried out by an assessor with no connection to the RSPCA.
• A time limit and regular independent review on how long healthy dogs can be held in RSPCA custody.
• Transparency around the RSPCA's relationships with individual police officers in obtaining warrants.
• An external review, by the Charity Commission or another appropriate body, of how this case has been handled.

What you can do:

• Sign this petition.
• Share it.
• Tag the RSPCA and ask them why a healthy, sociable dog is facing destruction over a suspicion.

"As a member of the public, I'm concerned the RSPCA is using section 18 of the Animal Welfare Act to euthanise healthy dogs without their owners' knowledge. That power exists for urgent welfare cases — not this." — Concerned member of the public

How can we call the RSPCA a place of care, when this is happening?

A little boy just wants his best friend back. Help us bring Pepe home.