I have had a few people tell me that my petition is too emotive. As explained it is emotional because the RSPCA ignored our first more formal letter. I have been preparing the following letter which I have addresses to the Chief Inspector, Ray Goodfellow. (A recipient of my petition.) Dear Mr Goodfellow, I am writing to you about the untimely death of my family pet cat, caused by the unlawful intervention of an RSPCA inspector Emma Stainforth. I would like to understand the protocol the RSPCA currently have in place before taking an animal from their owners. In the RSPCA policies on Animal Welfare it states that ‘the RSPCA support animal welfare by raising expert evidence together with sound legal argument.’ As well as the fact the RSPCA can only act without an owner’s permission ‘if an animal is suffering in a dire emergency.’ In my particular case, my cat was secured in her garden, she had been in the house, as her usual self (happy, energetic, playful) at 2.00pm, but went missing before 3.30pm. I later discovered that she had been removed by inspector Stainforth, who had trespassed onto my property. My cat was not suffering in a dire emergency nor had your ‘inspector’ gathered any expert evidence for her removal to be considered in any way legal. Not only that but your officer entered my garden without permission and with absolutely no grounds to do so. I know that she entered my garden to pick up my cat because we had secured all exits. We were aware of our cat's age and we took all necessary precautions to keep her safe. I have followed your complaints procedure however my family are not satisfied with the response from your chief inspector. The RSPCA promises to ‘treat supporters, with respect and integrity. That’s why, if you ever have any concerns about the way we work, we’ll take them very seriously indeed.’ I have, therefore, now involved you as a decision maker in my online petition to get both a full, formal apology for what happened to my cat and some answers as to the protocols in place for your staff when visiting private premises. You can view that here: https://www.change.org/p/rspca-review-your-protocol-and-respond-to-the-death-of-my-cat You will appreciate my particular case contains many of the issues raised by Stephen Wooler in his report to the RSPCA. Mr Wooler states: ‘The RSPCA can no longer expect to operate as a specialist police force with an associated prosecution function without appropriate arrangements for accountability and transparency.’ ‘The RSPCA should work with ACPO to develop further operational guidance to assist constables and inspectors in circumstances where the latter seek assistance, particularly through the exercise of police powers, in relation to possible animal welfare offences.’ ‘The RSPCA should review the complaints procedure applicable to the Inspectorate with a view to ensuring that complaints are thoroughly investigated at the earliest opportunity with substantive feedback and legitimate concerns being addressed. Where the complainant remains dissatisfied there should be escalation to a higher level including an external element.’ ‘A protocol should be developed as to matters which should be referred to the Head of Prosecutions for decision and advice.’ ‘The Society needs to place more emphasis on external communications. Its communications strategy should be reviewed to increase its emphasis on capturing and responding to feedback.’ ‘The inspector will be dependent on assistance from a constable who has various powers available that can be used to help animals once the officer is lawfully on the premises.’ Mr Wooler also highlights (see pp62-63) two cases involving end of life scenarios of companion animals where the RSPCA inspectorate's behaviour has been criticised. It is clear that inspector Stainforth acted beyond her remit in taking our cat away, and that action almost certainly contributed to her untimely death. Inspector Stainforth treated my family as criminals from the start and the local RSPCA have failed to adequately address my family's concerns. I therefore now require the RSPCA to publish an unequivocal public apology to my family via their website and social media for these failings. Furthermore, given the RSPCA intends to take 18 months to review Mr Wooler's report, I would like to ask what you are currently doing to ensure appropriate sensitive behaviour by your inspectorate when investigating cases involving elderly pets. I assume that the lives of the animals are as important to you as they are to me and thus you would want to avoid any repetition of the circumstances of my case. Also, if the RSPCA are as compassionate as you claim, you will want to avoid inflicting the pain my family have suffered on other families. I hope to hear back from you soon, Regards, Mary Rudgard.