An "infuriating and insulting" inquiry into RSPCA WA is politically motivated and a waste of taxpayers' money, president Lynne Bradshaw says.
Speaking at the parliamentary inquiry into the animal welfare group in Perth on Monday, Ms Bradshaw said those with vested interests, including aggrieved former employees, were spreading malicious gossip and claims about the organisation, none of which had been substantiated.
Ms Bradshaw also criticised the submission made by former RSPCA president Eric Ball, who she said was forced out by the board in 2004 and has had little contact with the organisation since.
The inquiry, chaired by WA's only Shooters and Fishers MP Rick Mazza, is investigating the RSPCA's state government funding, objectives and powers.
Mr Mazza has called for the investigation since he was elected in 2013, claiming the charity had become increasingly political and promoted activist views.
During Monday's hearing, Labor MP Sally Talbot and Greens MP Lynn MacLaren accused Mr Mazza of asking leading questions on how the RSPCA carries out prosecutions.
His questions about euthanasia, however, were cut short by RSPCA WA chief executive David van Ooran for being misinformed.
Mr Mazza said a media report revealed a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and her five pups were put down for no reason but Mr van Ooran said the story was false and the RSPCA had published the facts of the 2012 case on its website in February 2014.
When asked by Mr Mazza why those facts weren't reported in the media, Mr van Ooran said that was a question for the media.
During the tense and sometimes heated two-hour hearing, Nationals MP Paul Brown also accused RSPCA WA chief inspector Amanda Swift of going against her training by signing a directions notice ordering Geraldton vet Matt Carrick to erect a shelter for his horses without having inspected the animals herself.
Ms Swift said she was left with no alternative but to sign a notice after Mr Carrick threw the original one away and refused to speak with the inspector on site, who was also allegedly threatened.
Ms Swift said the RSPCA had received several cruelty reports about the horses that were left without shade in temperatures over 40C, and her decision was backed up by photos and a vet report.
Mr Brown said the organisation's "outrageous breaches of process" were in stark contrast to its presented image of being one of WA's most beloved charities.
"You've accused us parliamentarians of doing a witch hunt," Mr Brown said.
The inquiry continues.
Share
