One-to-one help also available from the charity.

The Scottish SPCA has launched a new Veterinary Casework Pack, designed to help veterinary surgeons in Scotland when they are involved with Scottish SPCA cases concerning animal welfare offences.

The pack provides guidance from the first point of contact with a Scottish SPCA inspector requesting a veterinary examination of an animal, through to how to write detailed and effective witness statements for when a case moves towards a potential prosecution.

It also outlines the relevant legislation and explores the common concerns that veterinary surgeons may have when they become involved in a case.

The information is grouped into four sections to help veterinary surgeons find the specific help they need. Fictional examples are used to demonstrate the different parts of the process.

The Scottish SPCA is currently the only animal welfare charity that is recognised as a reporting agency to the Crown Office, allowing it to lay reports for prosecutions.

Inspectors from the charity help to enforce the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006. This legislation is specific to Scotland and differs from the other parts of the UK, meaning the pack is only relevant to veterinary surgeons practising in Scotland.

Scottish SPCA veterinary forensic case officer Asta Parker said: “We’re delighted to now be able to offer this resource to support vets when they are part of a Scottish SPCA case.”
 
The Veterinary Caseworks packed by be obtained by emailing Dr Parker directly at: asta.parker@scottishspca.org

Dr Parker added: “I am also on hand to assist vets with any Scottish SPCA prosecution cases on a one- to-one basis.”

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