Examination of Witnesses (Questions 852-859)
MS ANNE
KASICA, MR
ERNEST VINE,
MR DAVID
ARTHUR, MS
JOAN JACKSON,
MR CHRISTOPHER
DAY AND
MR JONATHAN
CAIRNS
13 OCTOBER 2004
Q852 Chairman: I will not say we are
quite outnumbered but you have certainly brought a large number
of people. We have before us the Self-Help Group for Farmers,
Pet Owners and Others Experiencing Difficulties with the RSPCA.
I do not want you to give your life history but might you just
identify yourself for the record and let us know, if you hold
a position in this organisation, what it is or if you are a farmer
or animal keeper, just give us a brief introduction. We will start
with Ms Jackson.
Ms Jackson: I am the owner of
the pet shop in Doncaster. I have come with Jonathan Cairns.
Q853 Chairman: You are an owner of a
pet shop in?
Ms Jackson: In Doncaster and we
have had experience of the RSPCA.
Q854 Chairman: Mr Cairns, tell us about
you.
Mr Cairns: My position here is
I have been asked by three separate groups to attend, the Self-Help
Group, Ms Jackson and Mr Christopher Newman, whom I believe has
been assisting the Committee with other matters. I believe I can
assist the Committee with matters of practical application as
far as the stages of investigation of the RSPCA are concerned
and in particular with section 11(3) in the draft Bill.
Q855 Chairman: When you are not doing
all of this what do you do?
Mr Cairns: I am a solicitor, sir,
from Shulmans Solicitors.
Q856 Chairman: Mr Arthur, where do you
fit in?
Mr Arthur: I am very much new
to all this. I do not form an actual part of the SHG. I am just
a private individual, I sit on the periphery of the SHG and discuss
various matters with them, in other words I interact with the
SHG.
Q857 Chairman: And what do you do to
keep body and soul together?
Mr Arthur: Whatever I can, sir.
Q858 Chairman: What are you doing at
the moment or are you like an actor in between roles?
Mr Arthur: I have been known to
be an actor in between roles but yes, basically I am putting together
a business at the moment.
Q859 Chairman: Right. Mr Day?
Mr Day: I am a veterinary surgeon
in a referral practice. I write books and I lecture and I am an
expert witness on occasions and I use alternative medicine. I
have been asked on occasions by this organisation to offer advice
and counsel.
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