Worrying development recently reported in the Scottish media. A Sheriff in the borders (less glamourous than it sounds, Sheriffs are judges sitting with or without a jury, handling most of the moderately serious crime in Scotland) has been criticised for downplaying the severity of wildlife crime during a conference. The sheriff in question is chair of a wildlife protection group, which is under the auspices of the Justice department of the Scottish Govt. (them again)
It appears that the Sheriff compared wildlife crime with other serious crimes, which is all good and well, but his focus should be on tackling wildlife crime, not downplaying it. Is it any wonder that offenders get let off with a slap on the wrist in a lot of cases,
In a fine example of missing the point entirely, the justice secretary backed the sheriff, citing the amount of time he devotes to wildlife issues, as shown in his attendance....at the conference, where he downplayed the severity of it.
Unbelievable.
I even love magpies
This is just shocking, not to mention that the other crimes that he is probably refering too should be getting higher punishments also!
He should be making independant judgements on a case by case basis, not judging things based on other crimes he has nothing to do with!
No wonder wildlife crime is rife in Scotland with idiots like him dealing out the non-punishment, there is ni justice for wildlife here.
Millie & Fly the Border Collies
That is so sad, I've just looked the story up, and I see he is now under pressure to quit his role (which is a little ray of hope I suppose), lets hope they get someone more suited to the role.
There is a sufficiency in the world for man's need but not for man's greed.
I wholeheartedly agree that animal crime is not taken very seriously by the justice system. RSPCA officers work extremely hard to prosecute offenders only to find they are let off with a slap on the wrist. It may sound controversial and hard hearted, but I would give them a small taste of exactly what they did to the animal
Of all creatures, man is the most detestable, he is the only creature that inflicts pain for sport, knowing it to be pain. ~ Mark Twain
Hi Johnny
That is a shocking attitude from any member of the criminal system at all. I hope he is near retirement as it will be better all around if a younger person took on his role hence a better understanding of wildlife crime system
Wildllife crime to me is bad enough, and I would associate cruelty of an animal in close connection to cruelty to children or other humans. Like it or not, the two are closely linked in life. If a person is cruel/kills an animal goodness knows what other hidden agenda that they have. They are simply unstable people.
The RSPCA do work hard, and they are good in what they do to protect animals. This includes all the efforts of the public who wittness crueltly cases, and report it to the RSPCA.
It seems that there are laws laid down that it is going to be a large fine and a prison sentence, but how often do we hear of anyone being accused of what they have committed. The laws are publicised but when it comes to actually taking action on those laws they are redundant in many cases.
I just despair at times {unhappy}
Regards
Kathy and Dave
Chrissie C said: I wholeheartedly agree that animal crime is not taken very seriously by the justice system. RSPCA officers work extremely hard to prosecute offenders only to find they are let off with a slap on the wrist. It may sound controversial and hard hearted, but I would give them a small taste of exactly what they did to the animal
Hi,
well I'm going to be controversial and say that violent crimes against people IMHO are more serious than wildlife crime BUT that's no excuse for ludicrously low sentences for people who torment or kill defenceless animals when tougher sentences are allowed.
As for the 'get a life' comment- it sounds like the wildlife guy is dedicated and passionate and the judge is less so. Obviously we didnt get the whole picture and it was a sound bite but sympathy for, and being in touch with, public attitudes to wildlife crime would seem to be handy for a judge in that field :)
S
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Hi Johnny Mac think it is part of a big problem that prisons full so all crimes get small sentences and so wildlife crime seems relatively small and is all over the UK not just Scotland and it seems to me the Scottish type RSPCA probably more on the ball than English RSPCA who in my opinion mostly look for some insignificant thing that gives them a chance to throw their weight around and if something serious reported that may affect some of their subs they ignore it.None of this means that i condone wildlife crime as i would really like to see stiff sentences for it.
seymouraves said: Hi, well I'm going to be controversial and say that violent crimes against people IMHO are more serious than wildlife crime BUT that's no excuse for ludicrously low sentences for people who torment or kill defenceless animals when tougher sentences are allowed. S
I agree, I don't think violent crime gets a high enough punishment as it is but that is no excuse for giving lesser punishment for other crimes. Just because the whole system is flawed with murderers getting out in a matter of years doesn't mean he has give flawed judgements also! If every judge was much tougher the UK would be a better place for people and wildlife! As it stands, I think judges these days are too scared to hand out a real punishment to anyone!
seymouraves said: Hi, well I'm going to be controversial and say that violent crimes against people IMHO are more serious than wildlife crime BUT that's no excuse for ludicrously low sentences for people who torment or kill defenceless animals when tougher sentences are allowed. As for the 'get a life' comment- it sounds like the wildlife guy is dedicated and passionate and the judge is less so. Obviously we didnt get the whole picture and it was a sound bite but sympathy for, and being in touch with, public attitudes to wildlife crime would seem to be handy for a judge in that field :) S
HI,
To an extent I can see where you're coming from, and probably a lot of people would agree with you. Personally, I believe in the research which shows a direct link between animal cruelty and other types of offences- if memory serves psychological studies have shown that it relates to issues of power over a weaker individual, which can be reflected in offecnes against people as well.
My problem is that the Sheriff is directly involved in animal protection, he wasn't a layperson looking at it abstractly- imagine if the chairman of he London Olympic Committee told a conference that he thought the entire thing was a waste of time. Actually, imagine if he did!!!!
In ny event, I can't see the sheriff resigning or being replaced.
It is a sad state of affairs that 'some' people take people crime over animal crime
This is a general opinion that if you met the 'mentioned' Sherriff in real life, you would probabily find that he is a non listening Mr jobsworth, been in one job all of his life ...lost interest in his work and stale {bored rigid}
Sometimes people take their jobs to another level, and either they say things that they should not, and use their position as a power thing. Or, on the other hand, they are past the stage of caring, near retirement, and say the wrong things all together at the expense of others around them.
The longer you are in one job the more rooted you become in your beliefs, and people seem to accept what you say as gospal
It is something I have come across in my own working life a lot. It is mind boggling to think that if someone like myself ie employee said anything out of turn I would lose my job.
Just one of these things we all have to endure. At least we can form our own opinions and there are people around like the RSPB and the SSPCA etc.. to cover the mistakes made by other people.
A voice is needed for animals and we have that - thank goodness.
I agree with you almost 100 % :)
I also realise that in some cases cruelty to animals in a child/teen often leads on to cruelty to humans in later life - often with drastic results .
Your chances of being done for wildlife crime also depend on your social background, size of house etc. :(